Bie cleaved through the pulsating demons like butter, the Gania Dogs unable to resist as they were unable to even escape from each other. Sword after sword broke, but he needed the added length the great swords provided in order to confidently mow his targets down without accidently freeing them.
Blood caked the ground, and his face was covered with speckles of red and green as he marched onwards tirelessly. He reaped the lives of all the Gania Dogs he had tricked, now rushing to support his teammates as they fought as well. He wanted to clean up all the lesser units before he joined Casmere in fighting the leader, all so that they would eliminate the possibility of suffering from a sneak attack while they were preoccupied.
His eyes curved into crescent moons as he slid around on the ground, subtly increasing his weight in order to glide in the air when he jumped and employing the effects of Smile as he released a suctioning force towards his foes. Unable to resist the power pulling them in, they were knocked off of their balance and fell underneath Bie's bearded hand axe that seemed to be joyously celebrating as it sang by glowing.
Behind it, the illusory figure of the creature that was Ekulech's other body appeared as it stayed within a meter of the hand axe at all times, using its smooth legs to beat into the Gania Dogs as well. Bie was pleasantly surprised that this form could manifest outside of his Inner World, watching blood appear and then fade away on Ekulech's slate-like face.
He wanted to praise Ekulech, who he had dubbed 'Silkie', right away, though there were other matters at hand. The creature seemed to get the gist of his thoughts, however, as it swayed back and forth before folding its front legs together in a happy gesture, resuming its efforts directly after it had done so.
Two minutes had passed, and the fighting Guides could now take a break if they so wished. Of course, Bie was ready to go help Casmere, though he thought that he should at least ask his compatriots if they felt up to the task.
He pointed with his left hand at the roaring Gania Leader, who was busy fending off the phantasms dancing with Casmere as they each slashed at the demon's legs. His black fingernail reflected the dreary rays overcasting the land, and his lips bore a mirthful smile as his brows were as taut as a bowstring.
"I'm going to help him with that. If you guys can handle it, back me up, alright? You're free to stay here if you can't..." He shot off towards the demon with that last word, seemingly trailing off as he held Ekulech level to his waist. Lulac's waxen wing from the Bridge Icarus had finally melted, though he bore determined eyes as the last of his Ink was consumed to make another sprout from his right shoulder. He took to the sky, holding his beam saber firmly as he ascended.
Gyuho shook his head and sprinted over, his shadow supporting his faltering footsteps by placing itself under each and every step he took. Breathing deeply, he regained his breath and sought to improve himself with the tension of this fight, not satisfied with his current strength.
One in an attempt to prove, the other in an attempt to improve, both entered the contest of conflict all the same. With locked jaws and staid hearts, they moved, captivated by the possibility of doing even better than before. Bie's smile seemed to glow with purple light, his own heart lit aflame by this as steam streamed from his body.
-The madness flows, and Maenad emerges within you. Rage to your heart's content, O childe.
His yellow topaz eyes were dyed purple, and his pupils turned into white crosses all the same. Instead of that suppressive force he normally utilized when using the Cassius Eyes, it appeared broken as if it was corrupted. Particles like firecrackers were emitted from his form, and the strong suction force appeared as Smile activated.
As the Gania Leader was pulled towards him, Casmere unleashed a flurry of blows. Bie raised and furled a finger, and a bolt of miniature explosions that crackled both purple and grey traced itself all the way to the Gania Leader's head, blowing off half of it as it cried out in pain.
Bie laughed and started approaching even faster, his image blurring as he moved faster than ever before. Lulac dove past him slowly as he cut along the demon's flank, and Gyuho smacked a leg off course.
But this was nothing before Bie, who distorted the very space around him as if he were teleporting. With a mad grin and an oddly pleasant laughter he moved, cackling all the while as explosions battered the demon with each movement he made. An originally fearsome beast was rapidly being devolved into a mere husk with plentiful holes blown into it.
The Gania Leader could not stand the pain any longer and let loose a howl that sought to devour the hearing of all who listened. It grew even taller, doubling in size as two of its horns broke off and encompassed it fully, forming strange demonic armor. It had three mouths and three eyes, and one powerful, indomitable looking horn.
At the tip of the horn, a luster was emitted, and large rotting gardenias protruded from the ground and shot towards Bie. But it was no use, as his hands made maddened seals that lit the very air into nothing but firecrackers as he rapidly gestured. He rose into the sky, feeling inexhaustible as his Ink seemed to surge even greater than before.
One digit of his right hand pointed towards the sky, the red thread underneath it releasing a red aura as the very sky seemed to part. Energy came to life around him as it shot upwards in a corkscrew, and small crackling offshoots surrounded the baby blue shaded hand.
"Great Firework~" He hummed; his voice soft yet somehow piercing to the people who heard it. Ekulech floated beside him as it released several glows in succession, humming along with its master as the corkscrew shot up into even taller heights before dispersing into nothingness.
Before the Gania Leader could assume nothing happened, it was immediately blanketed by explosions that rained down and battered its armor repeatedly. Unable to resist as long as Bie held his finger in the air, a full minute passed as it was jerked back and forth by the powerful crackling that ate away at its flesh and shell.
When the minute was up, the effects of Maenad finished and Bie felt renewed as he recalled the feeling that enveloped him. As he was now, it was impossible to forcefully enter that state, so he figured he would research it more later.
With Ekulech in hand, he walked up to the weakened beast, his eyes still in the Cassius Eye state and noticing curdled, corrupted looking Remnants floating from the bodies of the demons.
The area was silent as he silently walked, arriving before the Gania Leader. With a heavy swing, the blade of his hand axe fell like a guillotine, and the demon was promptly executed.