[INDENT][/INDENT] = [] [I][/I] = () [B][/B] = {} SMT_STATIC.jpg *tkshhhh shhhh*click* Whoops! I almost lost the recorder you left me, sis! It was just lying there on the ground. must've fallen out of my pants when I went over to listen to the voices. Lucky I saw it! I... I don't think I could stand losing my only means of talking to you. Even if... you're not really here. Ne-nevermind. I know what to do now. If we're gonna storm Hikawa's HQ, we're gonna need help. The guy could already summon pretty strong demons back on Earth, and even the ones over here look like they're in awe of the guy. He's not giving up his suit without a fight. img001_004.jpg So we've got to get a lot stronger ourselves! And the first step is to explore the territory past the bridge, where the strong demons dwell. Maybe one or two can be convinced to join us, too! But right efore we cross the bridge, we find a little out of the way area... img005_007.jpg Man, sounds like it'd be nice to have... img008.jpg It's really not such a good idea to wear wool when you're prone to so much static electricity... img009_010.jpg Thanks for the warning, sir, but that's precisely why I'm headed over there! Wish me luck. img011_013.jpg I can't even remember the last time I crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I always meant to come back, you know? Maybe bring a girl over to watch the sunset over Tokyo Bay... Can't do that anymore. The bay just leads to further shores of the Vortex World. Its water froths and churns with countless demons beneath the surface. And that damn light up above makes the waves shine a sickly silver. I hate what's become of it, it's not exactly something you'd show to a girl. Hey, Pix, don't lag behind, okay? We need to hurry, fix everything back the way it was. Soul: This region is Nihilo's top priority. The security here is super-tight. Interesting... I wonder why they've increased their measures here, compared to their headquarters across the river? img014.jpg Tokyo Tower! I'm surprised it survived! img015.jpg All right, I'm impressed. I don't think these guards are anything to sneeze at. Let's see what they're made of! img016_019.jpg Hmm. They have Hama, just like Angel. And they're too strong for me to try to talk to right now. Angel's immune to them, but I should take them out before they can bring their spells to bear on the rest of us. img020_021.jpg Hey hidden treasu--aaaaah! BATTLE MUSIC img022_023.jpg It's an ambush! She got Inugami! What IS she? img024_025.jpg Whatever a Succubus is, she's got a sexy gaze just like Lilim did! And I don't like how that "Eternal Rest" sounds, not with Inugami asleep like that. Angel, get her! img026_030.jpg ...Angel, we really need to work on your accuracy. img031_038.jpg At least we got a Ruby and a whole bunch of enhancements for our troubles. Gotta remember to check Rag's shop when I get more of these. I recognize what's happening with Inugami now. I wonder what he'll turn into? img039_041.jpg Another squad of heavenly guardsmen, but I've got their number now. I wonder why the old soul by the tollbooth was so worried about these, they're not that tough after all... img042_045.jpg Ah, so this is the reason for the heightened security. A back door! This info will come in handy, for sure. img046_049.jpg These ravens are definitely more dangerous. Their multi-hit attacks can wear us down in a hurry, especially since they come in flocks of three at times. But that's not a problem, is it, Chompers? I feel Marogareh wriggle uneasily in my pocket. Several of my magatama are acting up, in fact, but Marogareh is the most violent one. I feel like it's about to release an useful ability, so I take the time to gulp it down. Still, I'm worried about the strength of the demons we're facing. It might have been luck, or maybe Hikawa's sentries on the other side of the bay underestimated us, but I feel like we got away with something we probably shouldn't have. So on the way back to Ginza, I take the time to strengthen our ranks. There's no way Miss Apsaras would've survived an encounter with those Powers. img050_053.jpg Although... we may still need to train a bit anyway. Wait, the littlest Pixie's eyes are shining! I think she's found her perfect match. img054_057.jpg He reminds me of Forneus. Must be a distant relative? img058_059.jpg And while I was not looking, Li'l Lilim made herself a cool new friend! I... I hope she didn't )seduce( the little guy. img060_063.jpg Aaah! What is THAT and what did it do with poor li'l... No no no. That's not right. These are still my friends and I need to... accept whatever they choose to become. Th-they're only doing this to help me out, after-- But before I can welcome Nozuchi properly, Chompers just jumps into the machine on his own! img064_067.jpg Ch... charmed, yes. img068.jpg Let us know if you need a, uh, hand. Or two. Or a scratch on the nose. img069.jpg I guess we're good to go and check out the warehouse, now. Who knows? If Nihilo kept a back door near Tokyo Tower, maybe there will be a secret entrance through here too? img070_071.jpg Someone must've been through here recently. I left the gate open last time we came to the warehouse. img072_073.jpg Once again, I can barely make out some murmurs and the slap of sandals on the floor as we go down... img074_075.jpg Looks like a tunnel system for sewer maintenance. We had a field trip to one when we were in third grade. All I remember from it was that it seemed to go on for )hours(, and the lighting made me dizzy. Doesn't look like things have changed much. Except there's no eight year-old Isamu pulling at a little Chiaki's pigtails. Soul: This is the Great Underpass of Ginza that connects Ginza to Ikebukuro. ...It's a loooooong tunnel full of poisonous demons! Thanks for the tip! Pix, remember to keep that Posumudi handy, all right? img076.jpg I hear noises behind this door... img077_078.jpg Who was that!? Was that another human? Was... was it Isamu? I've never seen anyone run that fast! I gotta find a way over that sid-- img079.jpg I'm sorry, kid, I really don't have the time... I'll let you come with if you can keep up. img080_081.jpg Here you go, knock yourself out. img082_083.jpg Uh... sure, I guess. I can spare some money. img084_085.jpg Sorry, kid. I only have a few of those and they're really rare. I'd give one to you if I could spare any, I mean it! img086_087.jpg But I just said...! img088_089.jpg We seem to have reached an impasse. img090_091.jpg You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? img092_095.jpg ...oh. )That( was the game. I feel like a moron now. img096_097.jpg Oh, had a change of heart? Welcome aboard, then! img098_099.jpg There he is again! But I couldn't get a good look this time, either. img100.jpg Every so often, I come to these barricades. Who ever thought they'd be a good idea? This is just a service corridor! They serve no purpose whatsoever! But I have to find my way around them anyway, running the risk of getting atta-- img101_105.jpg Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Inugami! Use Fire Breath! img106_107.jpg That's a good god dog. img108_110.jpg Aww, you're just a nice girl at heart, Pix. img111_114.jpg That's a great present, Pix, thanks! img115_117.jpg You girls shouldn't be so nice to me, it'll go to my head. We ran into another mess of slimes, but just when there's only one left--! img118_121.jpg Well, I do have the room... Looks like this sewer isn't as bad as I thought it'd be! img122_123.jpg ...dammit. I knew it was too good to be true. That's the third blob that pulls the same stunt! It's nothing that Inugami can't handle, though. img124.jpg That's a lotta 'damas! img125_126.jpg But a couple of sparks and they run right off. img127_128.jpg And just as I thought, no sooner do I grow in power than Marogareh instills upon me the skill {Berserk}. But even my tattoos are overwhelmed by all the abilities I'm learning --I'll have to give up something to learn it. Marogareh has gone dormant again. I replace it with Iyomante, as before. img129.jpg How far down are we, at this point? I'd hate having to walk all the way back if there was nothing to show for this little trip. img130_131.jpg Our luck has been good though, for the most part. This is the first time any of us has gotten poisoned. Pix can handle it, but I'd like to keep this streak going as long as possible. img132_133.jpg What? There's two of them! Neither looks like Isamu but they DO look human! Man on the left: A demon...? Is he a Mantra demon? Man on the right: ...Huh!? Mantra!? Ummmmmm...... Anyway, let's report this to everyone! They both ran away before I could start asking questions. Like, how they survived the Conception! They've heard of demons, though, so that must mean they've gone further in to warn someone. I wonder if I'm walking into a trap against well-prepared guards... Well, no use twiddling my thumbs out here. We'll fight if we must defend ourselves, but I hope I can get these people on my side --maybe we can all combine forces to go up against Hikawa! img134.jpg Man: ......Ahhh!! H-He's here...! img135_139.jpg ...so much for the well-prepared guards. And... there's something wrong with them. They're too pale... their faces too ashen. And their bodies, everyone's bodies, twitch violently every few seconds. Is this what happens to normal humans exposed to the Vortex World? img140.jpg Old man: ......Huh? ............ Hey, he's not a Mantra! Never seeen a demon of the likes of him in their army! ...I was worried for nothing. Now, I can get back to my rocking chair. I don't know if I should feel offended by that. I AM part-demon jacket, you know. How do you know I'm not here to drink your blood? img141_143.jpg > Actually, yeah. Not really. img144_149.jpg The... )Manikins(, as they called themselves, scuttled back into their rooms, all around this central sluiceway. All of them twitching and shuffling their feet, like... puppets dragged across the floor. Only I can't see any strings anywhere. But at least they have a small, safe village here. It's not exactly homely, but at least it's cozy, and all the robes hanging out to dry at least give it a sense of common life that doesn't exist anywhere else I've been. I... I like it. They may not be humans, but... I'll see if I can talk to them for a bit. Maybe figure out where they come from. img150_152.jpg "Made"? By whom? And why? img153.jpg Old Manikin: Is it bothering you that much? Our destiny is to be slaves to the demons. ...But, we can also feel pain, you know. That's why we live in hiding in this underpass. ...Get it? So, please leave us be. img154.jpg ...oh. Well, I think I understand. There are plenty of demons outside that would love nothing more than to tear this place apart. I don't know what he meant by "slaves," but... I want to help them somehow. It's great they found a place where they can build a small community, but I hate to see them living in fear like this. img155_156.jpg Female Manikin: ...Um, the Mantra are a group of demons based in Ikebukuro. Dunno if you knew... Yeah, I think those two guys I caught up with outside mentioned these "Mantra" demons. And others mentioned something about an "army." I dislike them already. Just great. On the one hand we have Hikawa and his "world of stillness" demons, and now we have another group building an army and enslaving people too weak to even put up a fight. I don't think I'll find many allies in this side-trip after all. Let's check out their shop, maybe they have something interesting there. img157.jpg Huh, weird, I don't see Heeho or anyone else around here... img158.jpg GAH! img159_162.jpg I-I-I-I-I-- B-b-b-b-but-- F-fff-flattered, really, but I'm not... I mean, I like... Stop giggling, Pix, you're not helping! You know what? I got Macca, you got junk-- I mean, stuff. For sale! For sale. Let's keep this relationship businesslike, right? img163_164.jpg Excellent, three new Magatama! These'll cost me most of my savings, but they'll be worth it. img165_166.jpg I-I'll take a rain check on that one, if it's the same to you. img167_169.jpg Sure, no problem. )ANY(way... img170.jpg Bad enough the Manikins have to worry about the Mantra, but as soon as I start wading the water my sense of danger goes nuts. The hideout's corridors may be safe, but the water's another story! img171_172.jpg Good thing I have a guard dog to see me through these encounters. img173.jpg I'd complain about yet another barrier, but I guess that in this case it helps protect the Manikins' hideout... img174.jpg I just make my way over it... img175.jpg Can't say that I have, nope. img176_177.jpg That's nice. And look! Inugami's piddling next to your foot. C'mon, doggie, let's check out that gate at the far end. img178_181.jpg Yeah, I figure it would be. Especially if the rest of the tunnel system is as straightforward as the way in from Ginza. You guys really should consider putting up more gates, anyone could get in from the warehouse entrance. In any event, this is as far as I go. Nothing else to do here but talk to people, I guess. I didn't speak with everyone, but I doubt anyone would be willing to help take down Hikawa and the Demi-fiend. So... I guess it's time to head for the headquarters of Nihilo. At least I caught a lucky break! The Manikins have a Terminal of their own down here. I hope it doesn't break like last time... img182_184.jpg Everything goes well, and I'm on my way to HQ. Excellent! img185_186.jpg It's unnerving how the whole building )glows( with the magatsuhi flowing into it. The back of my head aches just from standing near it. What is Hikawa planning to do with all of it? It doesn't matter. I'll stop him )before( he can do anything. The problem is, I don't think the training we did back there is enough. We should at least have the strength to match Hikawa and his demons. Maybe we should try bringing some of them over to our side? img187_188.jpg Hey! Get out of here, pervert! img189_190.jpg Hmph. I wonder if the rest of the angels are just as bad. imgANGEL.jpg ...right. img191_196.jpg Badass rams ain't got no time to perv! img197_199.jpg The rest of us continue to train in the more dangerous plains of, uh, Shiba. img200_201.jpg And it's especially handy to have a friend who doesn't care for holy lights of instant death! img202_207.jpg We even pick up another birdie on the way! img208_209.jpg Along the way, I tested this new "Berserk" ability Marogareh gave me. It's a nice one, too: like Pix's Wing Buffet, it hits a random number of enemies a random number of times. This would be great to use against single foes! img210_211.jpg And once again, the magatama endows me with new abilities. First it's Sukunda, to lower enemies' accuracy and evasion, and then Rakunda, to lower their defense. I did have to give up my Life and Mana Bonuses, but I think these skills are worth it. And who needs those pervy archangels, when I can make my own? img212_215.jpg I did get Fomor back, a little while later, by fusing Angel with the Sudama from the sewers. img216.jpg Which means that he inherited skills the wild one never would have learned on his own. img217_220.jpg And finally, we all went back to the Manikin village for training. img221_224.jpg Where we made friends with another finny fiend. But enough is enough! img225.jpg All right, everyone, this is it! This is where we take back this city for all our friends and loved ones! This is where we stop Hikawa and make him answer for everything he did to the world! It's time to take the fight... )TO THEM(! Whatever that means! Isora, you take the right! Freeze anything that comes near us! Inugame, you're on the left! Give us a wide cover with Fire Breath! Fomor, Take-Minakata, you're in front! Just charge ahead and use your horns to knock down everything in your path! Archangel, you cover our rear! And Pix, I want you near with me at all times. We'll need your healing nonstop as soon as we step inside! Ready, everyone? img226.jpg Chaaaaa...! img227.jpg ...rrrrge? Whu? img228_231.jpg ...what. ...what just... happened? HEY! He can't do that to us! We were charging, dammit! img230_WHITE_231.jpg How-- He did it again!