Searching for Answers... (Schala/Augen/Cross)

[Schala]

Another woman--no, two others--came into view. One of them appeared to be doing nothing, while the other was--attacking them?! Whatever for?
Sai dodged the balls of yellow light as she made her way toward the lake.
The girl that had saved the others before with her water spells was now sinking.
Sai found herself in a conflict: the girl was drowning (or so Sai thought) but Sai couldn't dive into the lake. She would be KO'ed.
"Someone SAVE HER!" she yelled, pointing to the girl's sinking form.

[zapy]

although the danmaku the mage used on him and the shots from the new girl that attacked them hurt a lot the dragon made sure the mage didn't move
he was tired of this......
a massive tornado formed around the island the mansion was on....picking most the water up
"STOP FIGHTING!"

[recon5]

Somewhere deep within the mansion there was a room. Few had ever seen it, even among the staff. In fact, only two people could honestly claim to have seen it and they were in it at the moment. It was even possible that it was only there for this time... but who could say for sure?

The first person in the room was a sickly looking girl in loose purple robes. She was illuminated by the glow of the magic circles around her, five small ones connected by lines forming a pentagram around a much larger seal in the center. The circles alternately cycled through the colors of the rainbow with no two ever being the same color. Her hands trembled as they held a huge book, almost half as large as she was. Truth be told, it would be much easier for her to levitate the book with her magical powers but she needed those powers to maintain the circles and... other things.

The second person was a taller girl in a nondescript black dress. She had bat-like wings on her back and a smaller pair on her head, just above the ears, and her body glowed with a red aura that licked off her like fire. Her face had a concerned expression for she feared that her mistress would not be able to complete the spell without risk to her health. While she was lending her own unearthly powers in support and her mistress could surely heal herself after such an exertion these endeavors always caused her concern. She took the opportunity to voice it. "Lady Knowledge, are you sure you should exhaust yourself so? What would I do if you don't recover?"

Her mistress turned and gave her a small but confident smile. "My dear familiar, do you really think so little of me? I have performed this incantation once before, but perhaps that was before I summoned you. Now, be silent for I need my breath."

She looked back at her book. The incantation was long and complicated and she would have to turn the pages while she read. It was a spell that she hadn't tried in almost half a century and this time she'd made a few changes in the form of temporary text that glowed green over the original words. She took a moment to compose herself before launching into a complicated chant, her voice seeming to change as she went into various dead tongues. Her ready hand flipped the pages as she reached the end of each one, guided by decades of doing that very thing. Around her, her spell circles glowed brighter and brighter in their shifting colors, until her assistant had to look away to keep from being blinded despite her otherworldly eyes.

----

As the winds grew stronger around the island, a red circle traced itself around the Scarlet Devil mansion, its perimeter just skirting the corners of the compound. From this circle an invisible barrier shot up, revealed only by the red flashes of arcane writing that raced up every few seconds. Another barrier, this one flat, appeared as a point above the highest turret and expanded out to touch the first one, creating something like a giant hat box around the mansion. Outside the barrier the wind was beginning to bend trees and throw rocks but inside it was as though nothing had happened. Large objects smashed into the barrier, producing flashes of red light that revealed the runes on its surface, but nothing got through.

----

Inside, the hidden room was filled with rainbow light and now a loud humming sound could be heard. Then the room began to shake and the winged girl realized that her mistress was losing control of the enchantment. She ran and grabbed her mistress before using her powers to shield them while flying as fast as she could towards the door but the magical array exploded before she could reach it, the blast throwing them out of the room and into a bookshelf.

The two of them lay on the ground for a few moments, the winged girl keeping her shield up in case there were fragments of wood or stone flying about, but to her surprise there was nothing. She raised her head and looked towards the hidden room, only to see a solid wall where the door had been. The realization made her gasp. "Lady Knowledge, was that room an enchantment as well?"

Her mistress looked up and smiled weakly at her. "Yes, it was. I had foreseen something like this happening and... I..."

She winced and coughed, then began gasping for breath. Her familiar picked her up and began flying towards her bed. "... I thought it unwise to use one of the Mansion's own rooms for such a purpose, since an accident might claim other rooms as well..."

The winged girl placed a finger on her mistress' lips to silence her as they reached the bed. She gently lowered the weakened mage onto the mattress and drew the covers over her. "Hush now. You must regain your strength. I shall go and prepare a meal for you and we can talk as you eat."

She turned to leave at that but her mistress caught her sleeve. "Forget the meal for now. I need you to pass a message to our visitors."

----

Outside, the winds were absolutely terrific. Meiling was having trouble holding position even after descending and digging her hands and feet into the ground. If she didn't do something immediately she would be blown away.

The gatekeeper didn't wish to expend so much power so quickly, but her opponents would surely have been weakened by this storm as well so that should even things out. Having made her decision she made a phenomenal effort to raise herself upright against the wind and she brought her hands together in front of her to form a triangle with her thumbs and index fingers. Then, she closed her eyes.

In her mind, she dug deep into herself and summoned all of her inner energy- her Ki! She forced this power to surge through her limbs and into the ground like the roots of an ancient tree or even a mountain. Her muscles became harder than iron and soon she could barely notice the pummeling gale. A small tree slammed into her but it splintered harmlessly against her strengthened body.

As long as she was in this state moving her would be as difficult as moving a small hill, but she was expending her energies at a phenomenal rate. If something didn't stop the wind soon she would barely even be able to stand when she stopped channeling her Ki.

[shiningdrake]

Suddenly, the flames burning everything in Kylie's nightmare formed into a swirling cyclone. No longer was it just the house burning, everything was burning! Kylie could feel the horrible heat of the flames... But suddenly, she knew it wasn't real. The flames weren't real! She was dreaming, having an old nightmare... And she knew it this time. She heard a voice, shouting, "STOP FIGHTING!" just barely making its way in.

Kylie forced her eyes open with an incredible effort, breaking the nightmare through sheer force of will, only to find an awful sight. She, and the water she'd fallen into, as well as most of what was remaining of the lake, were swirling around the island at incredible speeds... And she could tell that it was all because of a tornado. She had to stop this! She wasn't the only one affected by this... Everything in the lake probably would be!

This next spell... She wasn't sure she could do it. But she had to try! Counteract wind with water... This would take a lot of effort... And quite possibly more water than was in the lake. "Drowning Sign~ Unforgiving Wave!" Kylie cried out... But instead of letting the water continue its course as it came hurtling toward a random point she'd assigned, she forced it to swirl in the opposite direction of the wind, trying to stop it completely... She did the same with the rest of the lake.

Kylie's body cried out in pain as she used not only all the magical energy she had left, but was attempting to add in a large portion of her life energy... Though she had no idea if simply willing to use her own life force to assist would work. She knew nothing about such a thing... If it was even possible. Nevertheless, she was in more pain than even explosion caused her, as she was trying to use more energy than she had to stop this madness!

The water youkai's scream of agony pierced through the water she was surrounded by so that no doubt everyone would hear it. Soon, Kylie felt that the current had reversed, as she'd been attempting to. Please let this work... was Kylie's last, fervent thought, as she let herself go, let the water go where it would, hopefully back into the lake... She fell unconscious, barely breathing, her pulse faint...

---

Why wasn't he GETTING OFF?! He was just sitting there and taking those bullets? Both hers and Meiling's? Marisa didn't know if the dragon was stupid or just insane! ...And then she heard a voice she recognized. Remilia. Asking what brought them here. Marisa said, "Oh, just thought I'd stop by, maybe look at the library... I'd be willing to play with you if this big lug wasn't on top of me!" The dragon was shouting to stop fighting, and there was a huge tornado now! It was picking up the lake... Marisa was almost certain that Haku was responsible.

Marisa was sick of this. She was going to stop it now! But then, a lot more water seemed to be appearing. "What?" she wondered aloud. Could it be... Was water girl awake?! Marisa temporarily forgot about doing something about the dragon as she watched more and more water coming, and then... It turned the wind the opposite way?! Marisa also thought she heard a scream... That spell must have been taking a lot of effort!

The screaming stopped, and Marisa remembered Haku. She turned her gaze toward him, "If you won't get off, I'll MAKE you get off!!!!!!!!" Marisa cast her most powerful spell, "FINAL SPARK!" This spell was like her Master Spark, but... It was even more powerful! There was no way the dragon would avoid being engulfed by the gigantic beam unless he could move at something above light speed! Since, he was at point blank range...

---

Remilia smiled at Marisa's answer. "Ah, planning on borrowing some of Patchouli's books again, are you? She wouldn't like that~" Her grin widened at what the magician said about being willing to play if she could. "Oh, don't worry about it, this sunlight is horrendous. I think I'll just watch." She didn't even acknowledge China, nor make any move to help the trapped mage... Or anything. She simply smiled and watched... Until the tornado came.

The pink parasol that the vampire had with her was ripped apart by the high speed winds, leaving nothing but the handle. Remilia stared at it, "This would seem to be a problem." she noted, as she felt the sun weakening her... And realized that the wind was picking her up. "Ah!" cried the five-hundred year old child. This was just perfect... She struggled to fly back toward the mansion, but weakened as she was by the sunlight, it was impossible to resist the wind...

[Augen]

"STOP FIGHTING!"

... Well, that didn't sound good. The wind, that is. Augen turned torwards the dragon, then felt his jaw moving. "... That can't be good", he said after putting his jaw back in place and regenerating the flesh and ligiment. And then the wind picked up. Chaotically. Augen could already feel himself being lifted. He needed to do something quick...

The dragon who summoned the storm appeared to be adamant enough, and Augen was pretty sure he couldn't have made his way to the gate or it's keeper. So he ran and did a slide torwards the dragon, grabbing onto it's back... "Hey, hope you don't mind if I--" "FINAL SPARK!" "Nevermind," he said, letting the wind take him for a second before sticking his iron club into the ground. "Caution sign... Ruyi Jing Bang!"

...

Meanwhile, underwater...

Things seemed to have settled down. At least underwater, that is. The skies were still torential as before. At least, that is what the water beast thought to himself. So he swam along, hoping to find some clue as to why this was happening.

He came upon a young girl, unconcious in the water. "Hmm... Still alive, art ye?" This creature, which resembled a strange cross between dog and fish, grabbed ahold of the girl with his mouth and then swam back to his cave, which was not far away.

"Aye... Art thou alright? Canst ye awaken?" He spoke to the girl, who he set down in a small gathering of seaweed. "Art thy the one who calmeth the waters?"

[Schala]

Oh dear...
What a storm there was! And the magician had shouted "Final Spark!"
Well, never mind that. The other girl was still underwater. "Is anyone listening?!" Sai yelled. "SOMEONE SAVE HER BEFORE SHE DROWNS!!!!"
Boy, she was commanding it too. However, the way she said was only due to her hidden concern for the girl's safety. She had saved them, and she did not deserve to die.

[zapy]

under better circumstances the female wouldn't have had a chance on stopping him
but after being hit by the final spark he was hurt to badly to keep going
haku fell over after being hit and the winds died instantly
he was tired.....and drifted of to sleep

[recon5]

In the calm of Meiling's inner mind, the dying of the wind rang out with a clear chime like that of a glass bell. She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly as she allowed her Ki to return to its normal course, then she opened her eyes. The onslaught had ended much more quickly than she'd expected and she was still quite fresh, so she assumed a combat stance and readied another spellcard.

She was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look and saw the mansion's assistant librarian hovering behind her. For a moment she wondered how the minor devil had managed to reach her so quickly but there was still much about her colleague that she didn't understand. "What are you doing here, Koa? You're supposed to be with Miss Patchouli."

The assistant librarian answered with a matter-of-fact tone. "Lady Knowledge has instructed me to deliver a message to our visitors so I would appreciate it if you could stand down, at least for a while. I shall inform you if you need to continue."

Meiling closed her eyes and sighed as Koakuma flew off towards the intruders. Even after all these years of service she had never managed to figure out what Patchouli was thinking. Perhaps she would ask Sakuya about this particular incident at the end of the day, but for now she would have to be ready in case she needed to continue the fight. She closed her eyes and smoothly initiated a series of gentle maneuvers which had been formulated by the ancient masters to replenish one's Ki.

Koakuma flew towards the group with both her hands in full view so that they would not assume that she was threatening. Incredibly enough they were apparently still fighting each other and she realized that she would have to get their attention somehow. She sighed and took a moment to compose herself before unleashing a bit of her infernal power in a shout that echoed over the lake despite not having any surfaces to reflect it. A brief wave of searing heat accompanied the shout, an unavoidable side effect of her nature that should aid her in getting the mob to listen.

"STAND DOWN, PLEASE!"

[shiningdrake]

Kylie was completely oblivious. She didn't even have the energy for nightmares, she was barely alive. It could be days before she woke up... The dog-fish creature would have to wait quite some time before it got any sort of answer.

---

Success! The stupid dragon had stopped his tornado, and was now unconscious... On top of Marisa. "Well this is just great..." she grumbled as she slowly struggled to get out from underneath him. Just as she managed to make her way free, she heard an incredible shout accompanied by a very unpleasant amount of heat which caused her to wince. "I think we've stopped fighting already!" shouted back Marisa, more annoyed than she'd ever been in her life... And probably ever would be again really.

---

Remilia felt the wind die down, letting her fall to the ground... Yes, fall. Because that's what she did, fall, unable to get her wings to work before she hit the ground. "Ouch!" she cried, before she got up and dusted herself off, an annoyed look on her face. This wasn't fun anymore, especially with the sun weakening her like this. Then, she noticed that Koa was there. Odd... Why wasn't she with Patchouli?

Then, Koa shouted at everyone to stop fighting. Remilia winced slightly at the sound and the heat wave that came with it. Then, she said, "Well Koa, I think I'll leave you to deal with them. They hardly look like they'll pose any threat even to China in their current state. I'm heading back to the mansion out of this horrible sunlight!" She then began flying toward the mansion, planning on heading to sleep again when she got back.

[Augen]

Augen stood and pulled his clu-- er, staff out of the ground. "Phew... Well, that was close," he said, brushing some of the dust off of himself. By this time his holes had closed up, but he was still stained red with his own juice.

Still, despite dreading having to use as much laundry detergent as he knew he would, he was very glad that the storm had ended...

"STAND DOWN PLEASE!"

... And that breeze of warm air felt just wonderful. But that was not of importance. Somebody had just adressed the group. "Hmm? Oh, yes. Gladly," Augen called back, looking to the red-haired batgirl as he dug his staff into the ground and sat aside it.

[Schala]

"STAND DOWN PLEASE!"
The words were a surprise to Sai, and she immediately sat down. Did no one care about the unconcious girl underwater?
"Um..." she said, eyeing the girl with the parosel and the magician, "there's a girl in the lake. She's unconcious. You should go save her. And then we go inside."

[zapy]

haku snoozed piecefully where he lay
there was a gust of wind every time he breathed out

[recon5]

Koakuma cleared her throat and spoke again, but this time she used her normal voice while making sure she was loud enough for the group to hear her. "Lady Patchouli Knowledge is aware of your arrival and was intending to meet with you. Unfortunately, while she thanks you for giving her the opportunity to test a certain spell the casting has greatly affected her health. At the moment she is in no condition to deal with the black-and-white witch in your group, who is a regular terror and nuisance to the Lady. She welcomes the rest of you but she would appreciate it if you send the witch home before you proceed."

"If you wish to continue with the witch then we will be obliged to stop you. However, we would appreciate your assistance in returning her to her own home before you proceed and perhaps we will reward you to the extent of our power."

[shiningdrake]

Marisa spoke up after Koakuma was done, "So, you'd rather have a bunch of strangers including some overgrown lizard there than me?" She feigned being hurt, but it was obvious she was having a bit of fun with it, "I see how it is. Fine, I'll leave." Marisa got on her broom again then turned around and flew out of sight... With a grin on her face as soon as Koakuma couldn't see it.

Oh, I'll leave alright the magician thought to herself, But I didn't say anything about not coming back~ Once she was confident she was completely out of sight, she began circling around to the other side of the mansion which she only barely saw in the distance. She flew low, trying to avoid being discovered, and she planned on flying right up to the wall like that and then over it.

No doubt Meiling wouldn't even consider the possibility of someone approaching from the other side. Marisa chuckled, imagining Meiling standing guard at one place, then yawning and falling asleep after about just an hour of nothing happening. Marisa got over the wall and snuck around to the front entrance of the mansion itself, and was about to go into the library, when she heard a childish voice again, which she recognized

"I see that China was once again unable to stop you, even with Koa there. So, I suppose you're planning on 'borrowing' from Patchy again?" Marisa turned around suddenly and saw Remilia standing there, still without her parasol. "Why yes," Marisa said as she smirked, "Why else would I be here? Unless you'd like to play?"

---

Remilia finally managed to reach the mansion, impeded by her weakness. She hadn't really been able to fly that fast at all, and she was sick of this sunlight. When she finally returned to the mansion, she was welcomed by a familiar figure in black and white... Who apparently hadn't noticed her yet. Remilia sighed, before letting the magician know that she'd been notice.

The childish vampire couldn't help but smile slightly at the response the witch gave, "No," she replied tiredly, "I'm too tired to play at the moment. Do as you wish, just don't make a lot of noise. I'm going to sleep... Though if you're still here in a while when night comes, I'd be perfectly happy to 'play' " She grinned, "Assuming that Inu hasn't gotten to you first~"

Remilia then walked into the library herself, and called out, "Patchy! I think you should be expecting a guest soon~" Then, she headed toward her own room to sleep the remaining time until night. Which really wouldn't be that long, the sun was already beginning to set.

---

Marisa shrugged after hearing Remilia's response. "Of course I'll do what I want, I always do~" she replied with a grin. Then Remilia mentioned "Inu" her nickname for that time-stopping maid, Sakuya. "Heh," the magician laughed, "Even she can't stop me, you know that~" Then the vampire walked into the library herself as Marisa watched curiously... Then warned Patchouli.

Marisa chuckled again, "Looks like Remilia wants to wear me out before we play later. Oh well~" Marisa headed into the library herself, and began looking for books until the anemic librarian would undoubtedly come complaining.

[Augen]

Augen turned and watched as Marisa flew off into the distance. "Well... That was too easy," he said turning back to the red-haired librarian. "Ah but the catgirl, she is right. There is something I must attend to," he said removing his coat, hat, and glasses, but keeping his staff on him. "Here, hold onto these for me," he said, tossing the bundle to the cat. "... And if I come back and even one of the things in there is gone, I'll show you how to be in several places at once. Until then, adios," he said with a light wave before he turned and walked into the lake, his scalp eventually disappearing into the waters.

... Moments pass, and Augen walks along the bottom of the waters. Hmm... I don't see her, he thought as he surveyed the area. This is bad. Did a current pick up? Or did somebody move her? His question was answered pretty quickly.

"We were right," a man's voice spoke. "The demon that Havleder is keeping must be calling out... She's summoned more landbeasts to attack us!" Augen turned to see a group of beasts behind him. The hell? Talking seals?! Augen stepped back, the lack of air causing him to lose his focus as his staff shrunk back into a club.