Seigan, Akida, & Sakiko: Good

Inezo, & Tamiko: Bad

Takuro: More votes for good so I'll start there, the good news is: I see a window, we're a lot closer to the ground now; so that was the 3rd floor. The bad news is: by the looks of it, the room is empty.

Sakiko: So that means that the Goliath and the red-haired man are both on the 1st floor.

Inezo: Lemme take a look around the room.

Takuro backed up, allowing Inezo to peer through the crack in the door, he scanned the area for any of the weird strings their captor might have left.

Inezo: I don't see any strings in the doorway but I'll still have to look around.

Seigan: So he left the room unguarded and focused all his manpower on the 1st floor? How're we supposed to get past all that?

Akida: The best options are either two groups of three or a group of four and we leave the other two with the Goliath. But can we discuss this in the room and not in this obnoxiously small stairwell?

Takuro opened the door fully and the group piled in. The room smelled old, and the draft from the shattered window was chilling. Inezo wandered around and scanned the room for red strings but something else caught his eye.

Inezo: Seigan, come look at this. 

Seigan joined his friend next to a wall with a strange mural. An eye over an infinity symbol. 

Seigan: Looks like this has been here a while. The edges are beyond faded.

Tamiko joined them, she picked up a green notebook sitting on the floor by a nearby shelf. Any page that wasn't torn out was faded, and most of the words were illegible. 

Akida: Anything useful in there?

Tamiko: Not that I can see. Some of the pages have the word "experiment" on them but after that it's unreadable. 

Tamiko flipped to the last page. The bottom half was torn but the words could be read. 

Tamiko: "Experiment #215–Ronan Ivara. The subject has high potential, but issues with core personality traits require longer observation." Everything after that was torn out.

Akida: That's interesting, but it unfortunately isn't going to help us right now. 

Inezo: Agreed, we should regroup with Takuro and Sakiko.

The four of them made their way back towards the door to the 1st floor.

Takuro: Alright before we go down, let's decide the split. I think the best option is leaving two people to distract the Goliath while the rest deal with red hair; he orders the Goliath around, so if we can somehow beat him then it should cause the Goliath to stop. But don't forget, our priority is escaping, not winning.

Akida: Ok then, I say the twins distract the big guy while the rest of us take that red-haired bastard.

Inezo: Wait, I'm not that great in a fight. I'd be better on the distraction team.

Akida: No, you're the only one who can see those strings, if he puts some up we need you focused so we don't get sliced up. Plus the twins have the best coordination.

Inezo: Ahh…right.

Seigan: I'm surprised…this is actually a well-thought-out plan.

Akida: What're you tryna say?

Seigan: I'm saying that I wouldn't expect—

Tamiko: Now is not the time for arguing.

Inezo: Does this mean we're ready to go?

The group of six all exchanged looks with the exception of Seigan and Akida. They gathered their resolve and gave nods to each other as they opened the door. Takuro led the group down the stairs followed by Akida, then Inezo, the twins, and finally Seigan. 

The 1st floor looked similar to the room they initially awoke in. No extra walls, just a space; the only difference was the door to freedom and the man waiting for them. 

Prince: Ok! You finally got down here I see, I was getting tired of waiting. Are you ready to dance?

Akida: Ugh, I hate this guy more every time he talks.

Inezo: The door is right behind him, but I don't see the Goliath anywhere…

Seigan: Yeah it's strange…someone of that size shouldn't be able to hide anywhere. Tamiko, Sakiko, you guys hang back with Inezo just in case; Inezo, call out any strings he sets up.

The twins and Inezo nodded at Seigan and all took a step back.

Prince: Ok! Seems you're all riled up, who will be first I wonder? Will it be the boy who killed my servant? Or maybe the very crude girl?

Takuro: I didn't kill anyone! That was all you.

Prince: Ok! Ok! Whatever you say…But I must warn you, it's a bad habit not to own up to your mistakes.

Akida: Enough chit chat! Let's go!

Akdia started the attack, rushing towards her crimson-haired adversary. Seigan and Takuro quickly fell in behind her. All three of them attacked at the same time; Akida and Seigan took wide swings at the man's sides while Takuro jumped, raising his knee towards Prince's jaw. 

Using one hand, Prince caught Akida's hand and flung her right into Seigan, they soared across the room and collided with the wall. The impact sent a shock through Seigan's injured arm; using his other hand, Prince blocked Takuro's flying knee and sent him back towards the stairway with a palm strike.

Seigan shakes his head to get the rubble out his hair, he looks down at Akida. 

Seigan: Get off me! You're heavy! 

Akida: Oh, shut it!

Akida brought herself to her feet. She dusted off her clothes and looked back at the unharmed man in the middle of the room. The snarky smile on his face did nothing but fuel her anger.

The twins helped Takuro to his feet, and he buckled back over. The attack to his chest ached as he got up. 

Takuro: [I knew our chances were slim but this is worse than I thought.]

Tamiko: [Should I help? No, I can't leave Sakiko.] 

Tamiko: Inezo Kyurao, do you see any strings?

Inezo: No, he hasn't made any yet. Inezo says as he narrows his eyes on the man.

Sakiko: If he did all that without the strings! What're we gonna do when he starts using them?!

Seigan and Akida went back in for a second round of attacks, Akida flanked behind Prince to try and deliver a kick to his back, Seigan went opposite of her, approaching from the front and aiming a fist straight at his chest. The crimson-haired man easily dodged out of the way causing Akida's kick and Seigan's punch to meet. Before either of them yelled at the other he tripped them both, causing them to slam on the concrete floor. 

Prince looked down at the two of them lying on the floor. 

Prince: Ok! I wonder what my benefactor sees in you children? Honestly, it'd be better for me to just kill you, especially after this sorry display.

Taking advantage of his opponent's blind spot; Takuro made his move, quickly getting into close range of his cocky foe. He dropped down to aim for a leg sweep. Prince casually stepped back to avoid the boy's leg and retaliated with a quick chop aimed at his head. Takuro narrowly avoided the chop and followed up with a roundhouse kick. Prince blocked his leg but not before Takuro's heel made slight contact with his face.

Prince wiped the small smudge of dirt off his face, his twisted smile slowly dropped, and a vein pulsed in his forehead. 

Prince: Ok! It seems you have a death wish. Why else would you kick my perfect face?! Don't worry boy, if you want to die so bad. I'M HAPPY TO HELP.

Takuro backed up to the group by the stairs, Seigan and Akida joined them. The group watched as the calm man they were fighting before, slowly became more insane after receiving a simple smudge on his face. 

Prince: Ok! My benefactor is just going to have to find some different kids. Because you six aren't gonna be available anymore! Not after I make you kill each other!

Prince clasped his hands together tightly and began slowly separating them. Inezo's hair stood on end as he watched strings slowly extend from the man's fingertips.

Prince: Dark Puppetry - Royal Decree

As Prince was about to cast his technique the wall behind him exploded as the Goliath flew in and landed on the ground motionless. His misty eyes stared lifelessly at Prince.


Sakiko: What the?!

Seigan: Well, at least now we know where he was.

Prince: Ok! Explain to me what you're doing! I told you to guard the door outside and here you are on the ground being useless!

Prince walked over to the Goliath's body and began relentlessly kicking it, with every kick the body jolted but the large man didn't get up. Prince's anger continuously got worse as the color of his face slowly started to match his hair.

Voice: Yikes, I'd hate to serve under you if that's how I'd be treated. Kinda glad I put this guy out of his misery, looks like I did him a favor.

The smoke cleared to reveal a young woman with curly, sand colored hair that went just past her ears. Her tan skin showed she spent a lot of time in the sun. She was dressed in a green jacket with a patch of the Swiss flag on the right sleeve, under it was a sleeveless white t-shirt with the phrase "Never Miss" in the middle of it. Cargo pants, a black leather belt, and black combat boots rounded out her outfit. A sniper rifle hung by her lower back and to top it all off…her peach colored eyes had the pattern of a bullseye. 

Prince: Ok! Since you're so eager I'll slice you up first. After all, the order doesn't matter if the results are all the same!

Woman: Wouldn't try it if I were you *wink*

Prince ignored the woman's warning and raised his left hand, crimson strands once again started to flow from his fingertips, as he prepared to attack the woman. In an instant she reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a knife, she effortlessly launched the knife right through Prince's glove. The crimson-haired man let out a scream, as if he's never experienced pain before.

Woman: See I warned you, should've listened to me. Now that glove of yours is ruined.

Prince: Ok! What's your reason for being here?

Woman: Wouldn't you like to know. *Wink* Now, all I ask is that you surrender peacefully. I'd really hate to have to ruin both your hands. 

Prince: Ok! That would be a shame. I suppose we'll have to finish this another day. But if I were you…I'd save the brats.

Prince: Dark Puppetry - Marinette's Sacrifice

The body of the Goliath jerked violently, it swelled to an unnatural size.

Woman: Damnit, it's gonna blow!

The woman closed the distance between herself and the group of frightened teens in an instant, she jammed them into the staircase, and slammed the door. The building trembled as if it were hit by a wrecking ball, the woman peeked her head back out the doorway. 

Woman: Oh damn, he got away…Are you kids alright?

Seigan: Never better.

Takuro: I'm alright.

Sakiko: I didn't even fight so I'm all good.

Tamiko: Same.

Inezo: My eyes kinda hurt but I'm good. 

Akida: Could be worse.

Woman: Good, in case you haven't already figured it out, I'm here to rescue you so come with me please.

Seigan: Whoa, we don't even know you.

Woman: Haha, that's true. Well, my name's Siana. It's true, you don't know me but…you don't really have anywhere else to go.

Inezo: Fair point.

Sakiko: Won't hear any arguments from me, I just want to get out of here. It's super gloomy and I miss the sun.

Siana: Exactly! So follow me and I'll try to answer any questions you have on the way.

The woman led the group out of the staircase, the room where they fought Prince was covered in slash marks, all that remained of the Goliath's body was a blood stain. One by one they exited through the hole in the wall and finally smelt fresh air for the first time in what felt like years. 

Takuro: I don't see a car, how are we gonna leave

Siana: Don't worry, our ride should be here any minute now.

Akida: You gonna take us back home?

Siana: Sorry, but going home is probably not the best option for you guys.

Tamiko: So where shall we go?

Siana: Uhhh, I guess you could say my house.

Seigan: What's the deal with that red-haired guy? Actually, what's the deal with your eyes?

Sakiko: Seigan! That's rude.

Seigan: What? She said she'd answer questions.

Siana: I'll answer those in due time but not right now…Ahh, there's our ride. 

A helicopter slowly descended in front of them. As it got closer the group realized it made almost no noise. The chopper touched down and Siana climbed inside.

Siana: C'mon, unless you weirdos actually like this spooky old building. 

They all looked at each other then climbed into the chopper, the seats were padded and comfortable, for the first time in hours the feeling of safety washed over the group. The helicopter took off, and Siana walked off to talk to the pilot.

Seigan: That was definitely the worst experience of my life.

Sakiko: Without a doubt, 100%.

Takuro: Completely agree.

Akida: Uh-huh.

Tamiko: *Nods*

Inezo: *Snoores*

Seigan: How is he already asleep…

Small laughs filled the helicopter cabin as everyone relaxed in their chairs. A few minutes later Siana comes back from the front.

Siana: Sorry about that. Do you guys have any more questions?

All six of them were sound asleep. Siana let out a light chuckle and sat down. A muffled voice buzzes in her earpiece

Voice: *Bzzt* Siana, it's me. Did you rescue the kids from the school?

Siana: You bet I did, we're in the chopper headed towards the island now. I'll be there in time for the meeting, assemble everyone else; oh, and get some medical equipment sent to my house.

Voice: Alright, most of the others should be here by the time you arrive. But Siana…Before then, make sure you tell those kids the truth.

Siana: I will…