"Finally! I can get my ice cream and sit down in peace. Those two are so annoying." Eiko peeped at the counter in excitement. The vast flavors were on display, calling out to the intrigued customers like Eiko who just couldn't wait to indulge in them.
Eiko's two friends ran towards the parlor, keeping in mind that shouting was only going to create a scene so the only way to approach Eiko was by being nice, without upsetting her of course.
"I'll keep watch, Eiko needs you Martha." Douma said calmly.
"This isn't going to be easy Douma I'll try my best." Sulking, Martha approached Eiko and asked her about the ice cream. The girl's face brightened upon hearing Martha's enthusiasm about their plan. Seeing their reactions to the conversation made Douma feel a little better. Now that Eiko's tantrum was out of the way, the blonde could focus on the bigger problem, the monster lurking in the mall. It wasn't a happy ending just yet.
Douma noticed a dark orange figure heading towards the ice cream parlor. The figure was agile and moving continuously.
Is that... no way how is everyone so calm with that creature running past them. It doesn't look friendly either what's with these people? There was no time to question the crowd's reactions, both Eiko and Martha were in danger now. Douma had to fend it off while they get away.
A few people started screaming as the creature got closer. It's arms were sticking out of the puffy surface of its appearance that matched what Eiko said. Who would've thought that a bundle of cotton candy would be so terrifying, this must be traumatizing for the monster's victims, if there are any left.
"What is that thing?!" Someone cried.
"It looks like it's after something or... someone. Wouldn't wanna be that guy." Another person responded.
More people started moving out of the way to let the creature pass. Douma found it peculiar if something like this were to happen in the real world, everybody would start running for their lives.
Strange enough, nobody was calling for help they just stood there watching. It was unsettling to see the crowd stopping in their tracks and witnessing Eiko and Martha running from the monster defenselessly. Luckily, they had Douma to protect them now.
Eiko was holding her ice cream tightly. "Don't look back!" The dark-haired girl running next to her yelled. Their hearts were beating fast with the surge of adrenaline leading to their doubts about the aftermath of this situation.
With a flick, Douma raised his fan and got into a fighting stance. The creature seemed to be aware of his presence and immediately slowed down once it got close to the ice cream parlor.
Growling in fury, the monster gripped the walls of the two nearest stores and threw debris at the shrine leader, hoping to land a hit on Eiko and Martha who were not too far from the area. The crowd of people ran away and started screaming loudly leaving the level almost empty.
"Scattering Lotuses!" The ice petals appeared in front of the creature flying towards it. But instead of slicing the opponent they left a dent on the wall.
Martha widened her eyes at the scene. "I didn't even blink yet." That speed, it was something no one had ever seen before. What was this creature and how did it even end up here.
Leaping backwards, Douma grit his teeth. This creature was going to be a huge problem if it remains. With this kind of movement, Eiko and Martha won't get away the rows of stores were never-ending the monster could always pick up its pace if left behind.
The creature's arm extended from where it stood and narrowly avoided Douma, approaching both Eiko and Martha who shrieked when they saw the long arm behind them.
Douma used this as an opportunity to strike the creature while it's still unaware. He teleported and appeared behind the monster who took a while to notice where the blonde was. This was the perfect timing for what he was about to do next that would guarantee Eiko and Martha's safety.
At that instant, Douma impaled the monster's shoulder blade with his fan causing it to let out an agonizing cry. The monster spun around and foolishly attempted to crush the shrine leader supposedly behind it who was now in front of it again.
In anger, the monster summoned two other shadows that unsurprisingly went after Eiko and Martha, however this time things were getting serious. The rock that Eiko threw to fend the shadows off didn't affect them at all.
Shadows of objects that the creatures landed on left a sickening effect on the actual items; one of the vases and mugs corroded before breaking into pieces that covered the tables with dark dust.
Without hesitation, Douma summoned an ice crystal that covered the area in frost and icy wind. Both Eiko and Martha looked at it fascinatingly. While Douma's powers were impressive they were also scary to witness from a far. Eiko wasn't surprised but Martha on the other hand didn't feel comfortable with the fact that Eiko's friend had powers capable of hurting anyone.
Again, the two ice petals raced towards the target, this time both shadows that were casted on each wall. Douma watched as the shadows dispersed upon contact with the ice petals.
"He did it!" Eiko cheered while Martha stood there in silence.
Just before the monster was about to make his next move, Douma unleashed a gust of frost that aimed for its opponent, plummeting through it.
The creature stared at the ground in shock as it slowly dispersed. Eiko jumped in joy, the monster was long gone which meant she could sit down at the ice cream parlor again.
"It's gone, he defeated it just like that." Martha didn't know what to make of it she was just glad both she and Eiko were safe now.
"Told you I have amazing friends." Eiko winked at the dark-haired girl who smiled slyly.
"Yeah right." The floor was in shambles there's no way Martha wanted Eiko to sit down at the parlor in the state that it's in. "Change of plans Eiko, let's have our ice cream party somewhere else shall we?"
Douma looked at the aftermath of the battle, there were still no clues to where the monster came from. If that's the case, he'll just treat it's appearance as a random encounter that Eiko dreamt of. Nothing too crucial as long as she's alright.
"Thanks for saving us Douma." Eiko and Martha approached the blonde who nodded at Eiko's gratitude.
"We really appreciate your help," Martha added. "I never expected anyone to have ice powers, thank you Douma." Both Eiko and Martha smiled at each other, about time they had the leisure they always wanted at the mall.
Well it did seem that way, until Martha asked the next question that left Douma a little confused.
"What was Mr Oshiro gonna ask you Douma, he wants to form an alliance with you doesn't he? Are you going to accept it since your powers and skills are proven to be useful?" Martha suddenly asked.
The shrine leader was taken aback by Martha's very well elaborated question. How did she know all this she wasn't even there, in the real world, there's no way she could have known about the meeting he and Shinobu had with Mr Oshiro. Who is she? Maybe his initial suspicions of her were right all along.
To add on, Douma had completely forgotten about Mr Oshiro's offer, he still needs time to think about it but even if the question circulates again knowing the fate of humanity and his presence in the human world it was too risky they were better off not delving deeper into things in the vast universe that lie beyond their comprehension. Douma can handle this by himself, it will be quick.
Before Douma could respond to Martha's question, a large hand appeared in the middle of the area emitting waves of static and distortion that caused everything around him including both Eiko and Martha as well as the other people in the mall to freeze.
The hand grabbed Douma and dragged him to the dark portal that was devouring everything in sight. Douma with the uneasiness lingering in his chest, turned to look at Eiko and Martha who were still standing there like nothing happened. I didn't even get to convey the message to Eiko. Likewise, it completely slipped his mind, if Eiko or Atashi aren't making another appearance in this next destination the message won't get across. So Atashi will continue hiding until someone finds him, if they manage to.
A sinister laugh snapped Douma back to the current events. "It seems we have a visitor, one that I'm not entirely familiar with." The voice said, letting out a few cackles that could keep a person up at night.
Douma was released but it's not like the place was welcoming enough to make him forget about this person's intrusion.
This place looked very distorted it had low gravity, there were objects floating in the corners it kind of resembled space but an apocalyptic version with the red and black atmosphere. There were flashes of lightning around the place and a car toppled upside down. Still freaky-looking the screams made the blonde very uncomfortable they were getting repetitive the more he tried to figure out where they came from.
A lanky figure approached him one that was slightly shorter than him. It's body was wobbling around uncontrollably. Whoever this was definitely isn't human and can't be Atashi or Eiko, at least Douma hoped that wasn't the case.
"Hello there welcome to our realm. I'm the Jester, every person's worst nightmare." The pale appearance of the strange individual in the box came to view. "You must be new here, I could give you a tour if you'd like." Those hands, why did the Jester have to interfere with Eiko's dream like that.
This calm stature of the Jester's was unsettling. No one in their right mind would be eager to explore this place and Douma most certainly wasn't interested he was about to finish up that particular important task until this clown showed up.
"Oh is my offer boring? That's disappointing to hear it's called putting up a show," The Jester frowned. "Let me give you a summary of this place. This realm is a nightmare factory. All of us plan our strategies to evoke nightmares and trauma in every lifeform. Just like myself we were created from the worst fears imaginable, I'm the character who traumatized the masses from the movie, 'Hako no naka wa Nandesuka?'. The combination of their traumas created me, The Jester. And your dear friend Eiko has fallen into my trap. For as long as she remembers my existence I will always find a way to haunt her."
"I'm not gonna let that happen." Douma said firmly. The Jester won't be disturbing Eiko anymore after this, Douma was going to make sure of that.
In annoyance, The Jester summoned a few balls of various colors as a strange way of defending himself. He juggled them to keep himself occupied while explaining the realm to the blonde. But that wasn't going to convince Douma that their motives were acceptable.
"Hmm, I don't know who you are but you seem familiar. Those orbs of yours we heard about this entity with multicolored ones, I guess I've finally met em." Studying the iridescent eyes in front of him, The Jester laughed and raised his arms menacingly. "You don't scare me this realm will still remain and there's nothing you can do about it."
"If you're so worried about your realm, why did you drag me here in the first place? A wreck for a tourist attraction? That's odd." Douma got his golden fans out. There was no time for chatter this creature has been watching Eiko all this while. Now it found something that it thought it could pounce on but was mistaken.
The Jester grit his teeth. "That's it I'm getting rid of you right now! Don't need pest control when I can be the pest annihilator!"
A ring of the balls that The Jester juggled flew towards Douma who held onto his fan tightly and swiftly dashed through the explosions ignited by the ring, leaving The Jester in shock. He wasn't expecting his opponent to be incredibly skillful, let alone tanking his attack like it's nothing.
"How are you not affected by my attacks?" The Jester desperately continued throwing the rings at Douma only to be met with the same result that left him in a state of despair.
In a flash, Douma sliced The Jester's arm. It fell from the clown's left shoulder and vanished into particles, The Jester now shorthanded.
"I can't hurt him, but he can hurt me..." The Jester looked at his left shoulder that had a string of particles hanging from the detached area like foam. In horror, The Jester backed away from his opponent desperately trying to think of another way to get rid of Douma who just stood there watching the clown's desperation.
Without thinking, The Jester summoned a portal below him. "If I can't fight him than I'll just get out of here let the others deal with him!" He said quietly.
"Freezing Clouds!" Douma sprinted towards The Jester and waited for the ice to carry out its biding; The Jester started screaming in pain as though he was on fire, the specks of frost traveled from the box to his entire system. In pain, The Jester clawed at chest his breathing became rapid and the icy facade in the air was becoming overwhelming. He couldn't take it anymore he was about to lose his senses.
Some of the frost landed on the vortex turning it a light blue. The Jester screamed loudly at the change in the portal. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
Douma was about to respond to The Jester's pleading cries when he then started jumping around in anger, whining about his escape. This went on for about a while until The Jester's obliviousness caused him to slip and fall into the portal, disintegrating in the depths.
At that moment the portal turned violent which shook the realm to its core. It calmed down right after that with a bright light emitting from the center below. Douma had a feeling the portal might lead him out of here. Without a second thought he jumped in the vortex.