Osaka, Japan
Mitsuya Residence
April 4th, 2023
"So, what game would you like to play? How about a game of Catch-a-Mon or City Fighter?" Shino offered, handing Alice and June a pair of gaming consoles.
On a peaceful evening, Alice and June had decided to visit Shino for a game night, taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere at school.
Alice was aware of the events unfolding behind the scenes, but she couldn't reveal the truth to the boys, could she?
"City Fighter it is! Let's see if Alice can still laugh after witnessing my super amazing combos!" June exclaimed, eagerly snatching the console from Shino's hands.
The night was filled with laughter and excitement as Alice dominated the game of City Fighter, defeating June repeatedly. Shino and June took turns challenging Alice, but she emerged victorious in every battle.
As the night wore on and darkness descended, Alice sensed an ominous presence growing around them. Excusing herself for a bathroom break, she quickly handed her console to Shino and made her way downstairs. Standing by the front door, she observed two shadowy figures approaching their house. One figure, slender and armored, brandished a massive axe, while the other had a distorted form with a grotesque, tentacled body.
"Damn it, I can't fight them without revealing my powers," Alice muttered to her tale. She assumed a battle stance, preparing herself to confront the damned creatures heading her way.
The slender figure swiftly charged at Alice, hurling her axe in her direction. Using her telekinetic powers, Alice deflected the axe to the side. However, the figure followed up with a powerful kick to Alice's abdomen, sending her crashing to the ground.
Meanwhile, the tentacled figure tore open the doorway and flung debris from a nearby swing into the lawn. Retrieving her axe, the slender figure aimed it menacingly at Alice. Just as she was about to strike, Alice used her telekinesis to lift a large piece of debris and hurled it at the figure, forcing her back.
Shino and June descended the stairs, drawn by the commotion. They were taken aback by the sight of the shadowy figures engaged in battle with Alice.
The tentacled figure shifted its attention to Shino and June, extending its tentacles in an attempt to grab them. Alice swiftly rose to her feet and dashed towards them, using her telekinesis to halt the approaching tentacles. She then lifted the torn debris once more and hurled it at the two damned creatures.
"You shall not pass!" Alice exclaimed, simultaneously launching objects at the creatures in a determined defense.
The slender creature's axe clashed against the debris, while the tentacled creature used its tentacles to deflect the smaller projectiles hurled by Alice.
"Shino, June, run!" Alice urgently called out, lifting a piece of the torn wall to block off the creatures and create an escape route for Shino and June.
Confused and shaken by the supernatural events unfolding before them, Shino and June followed Alice's instructions and hurriedly made their way outside to seek refuge in a nearby house.
Fortunately, Shino's parents were not present to witness the chaos that had taken over their home. As the slender creature leaped towards Alice, readying its axe for another strike, Alice braced herself, resigned to the imminent impact.
However, in a sudden burst of heat and sound, Alice felt a wave of relief wash over her. Opening her eyes, she witnessed the headless body of the slender creature collapsing to the ground.
Standing before her was Mike, gripping his mystic sword tightly as flames enveloped the blade.
"Mike, you're here!" Alice exclaimed, relieved to have a familiar ally by her side in the midst of the battle.
The tentacled creature let out a furious roar as it witnessed its companion's demise. Its tentacles stretched out, attempting to ensnare Mike in its grip. However, Mike displayed incredible agility, effortlessly dodging the tentacles as he swiftly moved through them.
With a skilled twirl of his sword, he pierced the creature's head, splitting it in half and ending its threat. He retracted his flaming sword as Alice approached him, seeking answers.
"What's happening? Why are these damned creatures invading Shino's house?" Alice asked, her concern evident.
"They're not just invading Shino's house, they're attacking the entire city. Rika and I witnessed their emergence back at school, and I rushed here to save Shino and the others," Mike explained, absorbing the energy from the slain slender figure.
Alice expressed her desire to absorb the energy from the tentacled creature to enhance her durability. Mike nodded in agreement, acknowledging her need.
"Where's Rika? If she's fighting the damned creatures alone, we need to find her," Alice said, her worry evident in her voice.
"We split up to look for the others. I asked her to find you specifically, but it seems I found you first. We're planning to regroup at the cafe once we've found you and the others. By the way, where's Shino?" Mike inquired.
"He's over there. Follow me, I'll lead you to him," Alice responded, taking the lead as they made their way to Shino and June.
As Mike and Alice absorbed the energy from the fallen creatures, holographic screens appeared, indicating the completion of their absorption process.
[Ability Upgraded]
[Ability Upgraded]
[Ability Upgraded]
[Enhanced Strength (B+>A)]
[Enhanced Durability (C>B)]
[Enhanced Stamina (C>B)]
Alice and Mike swiftly arrived at the spot where June and Shino were taking cover. They witnessed June valiantly defending himself with a wooden chair while Shino fought off a bird-like damned creature using a broom as an improvised weapon.
The creature aimed its sharp claws at them, attempting to cut through the wooden chair that June was desperately using to block its attacks. Without hesitation, Mike summoned his flaming sword and swiftly severed the creature's head, ending its threat.
Concerned for their well-being, Alice asked, "Are you both alright?"
As June dropped the wooden chair, he eagerly leaned in closer to Alice, his curiosity evident. He bombarded her with questions,
"What's happening? What are those creatures? And why do you and Mike have superpowers?"
Mike and Alice exchanged glances, realizing that they couldn't hide the truth any longer. They made the decision to reveal the hidden knowledge and clear up the confusion.
They began to explain the existence of tales, the sources of their abilities, and the nature of the damned creatures. They shared stories of god tales and the dangers they posed, as well as the role they posed in orchestrating all of this.
To their surprise, Shino and June absorbed the information with a mix of fascination and acceptance. They had always been intrigued by superpowers, heroes, and mythical creatures since their childhood, so the reality of it all didn't shock them as much as it might have others.
Alice and Mike felt a sense of relief as Shino and June quickly processed the information. They pulled themselves together and left the house, determined to face the challenges ahead.
"Where are your parents, Shino?" Mike asked as they ran through the streets.
"They're still at work. The company got busy after the arcade incident," Shino replied, keeping pace with the others.
"That's where we're going next," Mike stated, and they continued running.
As they made their way through the streets, they suddenly found themselves blocked by a group of shadowy figures. Alice's heart raced as she glanced at Mike, knowing that the two of them alone couldn't handle so many enemies.
Mike utilized his clairvoyance to scan the enemies blocking their path, summoning his sword at the same time. Holographic screens popped up, displaying information about each damned creature.
[Tale: She Who Reads At Night (Exiled)
Weakness: Heart]
[Tale: The Twin Maidservant (Exiled)
Weakness: The Other Twin]
[Tale: The Twin Maidservant (Exiled)
Weakness: The Other Twin]
[Tale: Failed Experiment No.2602
Weakness: Brain]
[Tale: The Plagued Tree
Weakness: Fire]
Mike quickly devised a plan in his mind, aiming to defeat these damned creatures and ensure the safety of Shino and June.
"Alice, you take care of the twin damned. Find a way to exploit their connection and weaken them," Mike instructed, and Alice nodded, using her telekinesis to pull the twin damned away from the group.
"June, Shino, focus on the weaker damned. We'll join you once we've dealt with our opponents. Stay alert and retreat if it becomes too dangerous," Mike advised, swiftly engaging the massive shadow figure with the bull's head and pig's body.
As Mike swung his sword, the tree-like damned creature blocked the attack with its branches. Meanwhile, Shino and June led the frail feminine figure away from the group, focusing their efforts on luring it away.
Mike continued his intense battle, dodging the attacks of the two remaining damned creatures and striking whenever he saw an opening. He fought with determination, knowing that he needed to overcome these opponents.
Mike struggled intensely as he faced the relentless assault of the tree-like damned creature and the abomination creature. He fought with all his might, attempting to both attack and defend simultaneously to hold his ground. As he began to feel overwhelmed, a streak of light passed by him, incinerating the bull-headed damned creature in its entirety.
"Looks like you could use some help, nya,"