KAIJU FIGHT #5

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #5

CONTENT WARNINGS: cult-like symbols and implications, brainwashing.

▶ 001. LORD OF THE FOREST.

Throughout the days leading up until October 15th, the captives will be forced down to the dungeons for their “punishments” to be doled out. All of the punishments seem to be completed methodically, almost as if the followers of the Lord of the Forest had centuries of experience. While no explanation is given, it becomes clear that the sacrificial ritual has begun. While the Outsiders may not be privy to what this entails, there is one rule that will be have made clear to them: once the ritual begins, it can no longer be stopped. However, there is still a sliver of hope. On the morning of the 15th, a small message will have been pushed out by LILITH. While they haven't completely reestablished their connection to the network, they are able to get something out.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME:
HEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
CLASS: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.
ABILITIES: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃Y REǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃S, GK̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̆̃
EXTRA NOTES:

It is an incredibly sparse message. It seems to be working with any information the ocular implants were able to detect in that second, and the information gets fed back in the form of a distorted debrief sheet. However, it does act as a sign that LILITH is still actively working on gaining access to their communication lines once more, and are tirelessly working to send help. With this sudden jolt of a message, they will feel an extremely heavy disturbance composed entirely of rift energy—it appears that whatever kaiju is dwelling here is able to effectively work with the rift in order to negate abilities. But perhaps the clues all strung together have already painted a similar picture as to what is to come, and to what to continue to expect.

Now that the sacrifices have all but been made, it is time for the Lord of the Forest to be summoned.

All captives who have been forcefully dragged, or psychologically drawn to the dungeons, will find themselves face-to-face with the Lord of the Forest, also known by their title of PRICOLICI. The creature is a bit difficult to make out due to its ability to shape-shift: at times mimicking a human wearing some sort mask in the form of a wolf’s skull, and at others, taking on a form of a monstrous wolf-like creature that awaits all Outsiders— those presently within the dungeon, and those that exist outside of it, ready to be lured in.

Or that should be the case, but The Lord of the Forest appears to be a kaiju unlike all others. While it is summoned for a brief period in which the Outsiders bear witness to its true form, it seems to disperse back into the rift soon afterwards, much like savoring each of its sacrifices in a temporary state of hibernation.

(Note: Details of the specific events that happened leading up until this point can be accessed on the kidnapped log. Please be advised that there are heavy trigger warnings for these topics.)

▶ 002. FIND THE CAPTIVES.

Due to their brief communication and joint efforts following the network post, it becomes clear that all signs point to Bran Castle as the place where the captives are being held. This becomes ever more apparent as the fog gradually begins to lift, and the outline of the castle can finally be seen from the distance of the forest’s perimeter.

If there were still any doubts surrounding Bran Castle as a place of interest, many of the villagers will instantly form large groups in order to stop Outsiders from heading towards the castle. They will spare no effort to achieve this. What initially starts off as peaceful dissuasion and psychological tactics, such as using the children to cling to the Outsiders leg and crocodile tears… quickly escalates to outright fighting with pitchforks and other makeshift weapons from the farm. Additionally, Outsiders who have purchased the poison dagger from LILITH will find that the “safety” on it is released, and they can be utilized on the locals with no need for additional clearance. It looks like the network wasn't the only thing affected by the spotty connection.

In this skirmish, the Outsiders trying to make their way to the castle will find that a handful of these villagers aren’t your run-of-the-mill farmers. They’re stronger, faster, and the Outsiders will discover that they have incredibly sharp teeth. They are vampires! Or, an entity that seems close enough to the ones of legends. They will not only be attempting to fight Outsiders off, but will also resort to biting them. If an Outsider is bitten, their bodies will feel almost feverish, as if an incredibly slow-acting poison has entered their bloodstream. But, being bitten by a villager does not guarantee one to be turned. While it is possible, it is a much lower chance.

Once Outsiders do make it to the castle, they will find that there will be several more attendants from the castle waiting for them at the gates, all prepared to fight tooth and nail to prevent their entry. It’s clear the objective becomes to break past them and find the dungeons below the castle!

▶ 003. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN.

Following the pathways of the castle to the dungeons below will not be easy. All the attendants present seem to have been waiting for them behind every nook and cranny of the castle. Outsiders will be met with their fervent attempts to stop them. It is a matter of life or death for the attendants and like the villagers, they seem to have no issue with throwing their own necks out in order to preserve the sanctity of their ritual.

Outsiders will also find various areas in which wolfsbane will be in bloom. Unlike typical wolfsbane these seem particular potent and will make the air taste bitter, and cause tingles, nausea, and hypotension if exposed to for too long. It appears even the attendants avoid them to a degree.

For those who make it to the dungeons, they will find that it is a lot bigger than it appears on the surface. A lot of its structure seems to lead deep underground, suggesting that it may even extend further out from the perimeter of the castle itself. There is a certain smell to the place that cannot be masked, years of sacrifices evident in every inch of its walls. There are over hundreds of cells, some still holding skeletal remains, alongside other ancient looking items: an old book, a worn out doll, a bloodied servant’s apron—they all appear to be pieces from a past that was long forgotten.

The Outsiders will not get to explore easily, however. As soon as they make their way past the threshold where the cells are all lined out, they will feel a chill up their spine. It's almost as if eyes are watching them in the dark, and they are. If they look up, they will realize there are hundreds of bats with glistening teeth that are all lining the ceiling, all lying in wait. They are minions of the Lord of the Forest, and their supersonic screams can stun and cause momentary deafness.

To make matters worse, it is not just their sharp teeth that hurt on impact, but they have a keen thirst for blood similar to the villagers. Being bitten by one will cause the Outsider to potentially begin to lose control of themselves and will have an insatiable thirst for blood, even at the expense of their fellow teammates. Additionally, those who are bitten will find themselves moderately more susceptible to psychic brain washing, and may cause them to momentarily join the enemies side.

▶ 004. THE FINAL RESCUE.

While the battle has already started within the village and the castle, suddenly the familiar ping of their oculars will alert them to the following message from Yamakawa—

"Angels of LILITH, we have connection. Rescue your team mates no matter the cost!"

With the connection reestablished, the main objective of the mission becomes one thing: RESCUE. For Outsiders who may have still been left at the village, or engaged within their own horrors, they are all advised to head to the dungeons as soon as possible. The coordinates for the deepest cells are sent alongside directions, with a constant warning to avoid direct contact with the kaiju there. The kaiju has long been absorbing rift energy and LILITH strongly advises against any attempts to engage with it until more information is known.

After half an hour, LILITH gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission. Villagers, cult members, anyone. This includes Outsiders who may have temporarily been brainwashed, with the caveat of bringing back their bodies as they may be able to save them.

As they get further into the dungeons, they will find themselves susceptible to the side effects of rift poisoning. It is far more potent with each step, and will take laser focus to make one's way all the way to the last holding cells. There they will find the several of the castle’s most devout followers desperately calling out for The Lord of the Forest, as if summoning its presence.

…


…

…

… and The Lord of the Forest answers the cries of its followers. The initial part of this battle is difficult as the kaiju's abilities paired with the abnormalities of the rift result in weakening the powers of all living organisms around him, including the powers of the Outsiders. However, due to the phases of the moon, its abilities to nerf powers seem to have diminished slightly - they are able to use their abilities at a lower output, or at times they will find their abilities can cut in and out. After five to ten minutes of the Outsiders actually engaging the creature, they will find LILITH has effectively sealed the rift below the dungeons. It is far from perfectly done, but will allow the Outsiders the window of opportunity to use their all in their battle with the Lord of the Forest before backup arrives.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: PRICOLICI
HEIGHT: VARIES
WEIGHT: VARIES
CLASS: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA
ABILITIES: SHAPESHIFTING, IMMORTALITY, NIGHT VISION, SUPER STRENGTH
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLY RELICS, GARLIC, WOLFSBANE
EXTRA NOTES: This kaiju has a malicious intent to all humans besides those who praise it. It's said it will bless all of its followers abundantly on this Earth and grant them immortal life.

The battle against the PRICOLICI will not be made easy, especially as its weaknesses are not as straightforward to tap in as most elements. However, LILITH will provide utmost support for the Outsiders who want to try their hand at defeating it. While it was once believed to be immortal, perhaps due to the disconnection of the rift and the moon, it does seem weaker the longer the Outsiders engage with it. There are also pockets in which wolfsbane bloom in secret in the dungeon, and the PRICOLICI will evade these specific areas, as well as any places containing holy relics.

▶ 005. AFTERMATH.

The remaining villagers do their utmost in attempting to ground the LILITH medical cruiser, using cannons and other primitive weapons against it. Fortunately, they do not succeed. With the LILITH medical crew all present, they begin their work promptly. Outsiders can not only use the medical cruiser as a temporary base and resting point, but those with severe injuries are ushered in for emergency surgeries and other necessary procedures. Those who can heal are encouraged to take care of the ones with less major injuries in order to lighten the load on LILITH’s medical robots... and Dr. Spim, of course.

When the final battle finally winds down, several more mission objectives crop up. While no formal decision is pushed on the Outsiders this time, they are given several choices.

Although LILITH has permitted Outsiders to take their own stance in whether they want to kill those involved in the ritual, including the villagers, they do state the final request to spare the children, which they plan to bring back to Neo Tokyo. Those who do not wish to engage in the taking of lives will be encouraged to continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders. Finally, all Outsiders are tasked to take with them any goods that LILITH could benefit from, including any sources of food.

Once this has all been completed, they will all be encouraged to leave Transylvania behind.

Back at base, they are presently working on the cure for those who were bitten and turned. While the brainwashing element has been resolved through persuasion tech, it wasn't possible for them to fully reverse the other side effects. LILITH staff are requesting those affected to remain indoors until they figure out what they need in order to completely rid them of this ailment.

(Note: The above mission objectives in this section are all optional! Please remember that you only need to engage in the plots and ideas you are comfortable with. If you would prefer your character to leave early to take the others back to recover at base, that is completely fine. We want this to be flexible and for people to play with what inspires them. You are also free to come up with other ways your character can help during this time, as long as it does not break any game rules.)

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to fifth kaiju log!

Thanks to the Outsiders' efforts, they were able to engage with the kaiju in this fight. Due to them piecing the clues of the skulls helping to destroy the fog, they were able to gain access to Bran Castle. As they have also kept their suspicions of the villagers, some even including to sacrifice them, they were able to unearth them being associated with the cult, and able to uncover their involvement. Outsiders were also able to add wolfsbane as a weakness to the kaiju due to the messages exchanged between the kidnapped and non-kidnapped - and so this detail was also added into the log. We appreciate everyone’s engagement in this and hope you have fun with this outcome!

Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the minions. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below! Additionally, we did clarify some questions in regards to vampires/general weaknesses here, as well!

For the vampire prompts, feel free to work with the setting in how you want your character to experience being turned, and potentially turning others. It was made vague to allow flexibility, so if you'd like to have your character just feed off of people without turning them, that works. If they want to turn all their friends, that is also 100% okay. Those who have been turned are welcome to play with that as they see fit. As mentioned, LILITH will be actively working on the cure, and this will be something revisited in the TDM, or on our quest board, so be on the lookout for that!

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. LORD OF THE FOREST: On the days leading up to the 15th, kidnapped characters are brought to the dungeons to receive their punishments. The punishments are administered in a way that suggests that the followers have many years of experience, and that they are all part of a sacrificial ritual to summon the Lord of the Forest; once the ritual begins, it can't be stopped. On the morning of the 15th, LILITH is able to send out a distorted monster debrief sheet that the captives will be able to briefly see before experiencing a heavy disturbance of rift energy. Captives in the dungeons will also be able to see the Lord of the Forest, but it will disperse back into the rift after being summoned.

2. FIND THE CAPTIVES: The Outsiders figure out that the captives are held in Bran Castle; the fog gradually lifts and the outline of the castle will be visible. The villagers will do everything they can to prevent the Outsiders from reaching the castle, from using the children to persuade them to stay to more violent means. Outsiders who have a poison dagger from LILITH are able to use it on the villagers without prior clearance due to the spotty connection. Vampires are among the villagers attacking the Outsiders; if they are bitten, their bodies will feel feverish. Once Outsiders reach the castle gates, they will have to break through the castle attendants to reach the dungeons.

3. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN: Outsiders must fight through more attendants inside the castle as they make their way down to the dungeons. The layout of the dungeons is much bigger than it may seem on the surface—with over hundreds of cells, some of which still contain the remains and personal effects of previous villagers who have been sacrificed. Bats, minions of the Lord of the Forest, will attack the Outsiders and those who are bitten may begin to lose control of themselves with a thirst for blood. Bitten Outsiders may attack their teammates as a result, and may also be more susceptible to psychic brainwashing.

4. THE FINAL RESCUE: LILITH confirms the main mission objective of rescuing all the captives and gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission, which includes any Outsiders who may have been temporarily brainwashed. The bodies of any fallen Outsiders must be brought back as LILITH may be able to restore them. Going deeper into the dungeons will cause side effects of rift poisoning to manifest. The Lord of the Forest appears to engage the Outsiders; its ability to weaken abilities is diminished slightly due to the phases of the moon. Five to ten minutes into the battle, LILITH seals off the rift below the dungeons, allowing Outsiders an opportunity to go all in on attacking the Lord of the Forest.

5. AFTERMATH: LILITH's medical crew arrives to begin treating injured Outsiders. Those who are able to heal or have medical experience are encouraged to treat Outsiders with minor injuries to lighten the load on LILITH's medical staff. Once the battle winds down, Outsiders are given several options on what to do next: kill the followers and the villagers, but sparing the children (who will be brought to Neo Tokyo); continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders to safety; taking any goods from the village that will benefit LILITH, including food sources. Once completed, Outsiders will leave Transylvania to embark on the journey back to Neo Tokyo.

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Comments

🏰 3. THE DUNGEON

[blastedass]

[The further in the go, the less human their opponents seem to become. Leaving behind the villagers in their village, the forest blooms with humans almost demonic in their aggression, succumbing to some kind of malady that seems to strip them of their humanity and leave them soaked in bloodlust and violence. Bakugo's path is litter with the smoking, groaning bodies of those he's barreled through, whether they're left halfway through building windows or dangling in tree branches like laundry.

After completely demolishing the gates with a Howitzer and blowing down the castle doors while the other Outsiders shed more cultists over the foyer, he emerges from the smoke into the castle proper, stalking forward with a furious resolve. Every muscle and nerve screams at him to blitz forward and leave the slow ones behind, but he refuses the urge in the wake of their missing members and the surprising intensity of the cultists' determination.

It means he's there to witness some of his companions transform into darker versions of themselves. People driven to limits by two weeks of suspicion and a few days of anxiety, now fueled by a desperation to recover their friends and a bleeding rage for revenge. Bakugo's often seen the line between hero and villain, knows exactly what it would do to step over that line. To become someone like Dabi or Shigaraki... It's not hard to understand, as ridiculous as the villains' insanity can reach.

That doesn't make it easier to see people he's grown to ally with resorting to this darkness... Yato no longer looks the God of Fortune he so badly wishes to be. Instead a God of Retribution levied at these foolish heathens. Blood red eyes, black energy racing cracks through the floor with each step, steeled expression. This is not his friend... Bakugo's aware that even a sharp explosion won't snap Yato out of this state. He's saturated in it.]

Forward and down.

[He can't stop Yato now. He isn't sure he even wants to. What he can do is stick close to him and drive as many living people out of the god's way before he gorges the life from them.]

[intertwinedfates]

[If there's any comfort to be found in this battle, it's that not all their targets can pass for hapless humans. Some are undead monstrosities, dead set on adding to their number. Those Yato can cut down without a second thought. Those who still retain their mortal nature sometimes are spared, through either being thrown out of the way or merely knocked out.

But not all of them. When they're wielding weapons and not hesitating to use them against the Outsiders, , it's their team comes first. If that involves injuring or killing the cultists, then so be it. There's no time for mercy. No time to be discriminate. They have to save their friends...!

And still, absently, in the reaches of his mind, Yato knows that what he's doing runs counter to everything he swore he stood for. And yet... And yet--! How can he not become an instrument of wrath, of nature itself, sent to punish these people for their participation in harming innocent people - their friends, their loved ones? Should any of their number perish thanks to these bastards, it won't be forgiven. He feels the blood boiling in his veins, borderline panic trying to set in as he worries for the safety of the others, and one in particular.

It's only thanks to the presence of other Outsiders that he doesn't entirely lose himself; he doesn't want to become a monster in their eyes, even if it might already be too late for that. He's trying to maintain control, dammit... Doing what he can to remain balanced without his shinki to guide him. Without Hiyori to scold him. Gods need their guides, after all. Moderation isn't in their nature, and he's proving the rule now.

Thankfully he's not alone. Bakugo is here with him, his presence alone helping rein in Yato to a degree. Someone he can rely on and protect in equal measure. For now he's taking comfort in that, despite how hard he's breathing as he struggles with his bloodlust.]

Got it. Let's go. There's no time to lose. Any minute they could be--

[No. No. He shouldn't think like that. It's not too late, they can still save them. They HAVE to. They can't lose anyone to a damned trap! Growling, he turns and hauls ass towards the nearest set of stone stairs, taking them two and three at a time. Hurry... Hurry!]

[blastedass]

[Those in the village were certainly human, but the further into the woods they went, the less human those drenched in the cult became. From violence beyond normal human stubbornness to the fanged blood suckers in human guise to the inhuman actions of those in the castle itself, their opponents progressed-- or perhaps devolved --into these monsters who only looked human and acted nothing like them.

Bakugo still refuses to kill them. not until he knows for certain their humanity is gone. But he's not gentle with them like he was (somewhat) with the village-dwelling opposition. They can take a blast into the wall or through the furniture.

Likewise, it's the words of other Outsiders that helps beat back the villainous temptation to end these criminals. Bakugo's anger and drive urges less care, more power, yet he forces himself to operate as he always has: as a hero. He can't stop others from doing what they think is right or needed, not unless it happens within his reach. There are more important things to deal with right now. Yato falls in that latter category.

He intends to keep the god from giving into those darker urges. Yato mentioned shinki and how they were supposed to help the gods stay in line? He'll be the god's shinki as much as he can in this moment.]

Don't rush in blindly, idiot! [Bakugo launches after Yato, not sure if this castle and descending dungeon have more than crazy cultists lurking in the shadows. Traps, blades, obstacles, any of that could be another way to spill blood.]

[intertwinedfates]

[In some ways Yato is grateful those in their way have been steadily turning out to be less than human in more ways than one - it means he can hack through them with little to no remorse, allowing his base nature to come to the forefront and act on instinct rather than logic. Anyone who gets in his way at this point is an opponent, be they man, woman, child, or Outsider. Maybe the bodies they leave strewn about will deter other cult members from pursuing them, but he doubts it.

It's truly only because Bakugo is accompanying him that he doesn't allow himself to become a completely destructive spirit, tearing through those before him in a bloody mess. Instead, he keeps his cuts shallow and to their legs and arms when possible, reserving chest and neck blows for those who are more difficult to take down.

He doesn't doubt Bakugo has seen hell already, but that doesn't mean he wants to add to the trauma. He wouldn't forgive himself for it later on.

Not that it'll stop him from argue with his teammate. Caution is all but gone from his game plan. All that matters is getting to where their friends are being held. Everything else is a distant second.]

You wanna sit back and relax while they're doing fuck knows what to them?! We need to hurry! [Even if part of him recognizes how foolish it is to make a beeline for the deepest part of the castle, his desperation is so great that doesn't stop, only sparing a glance back at Bakugo to glare at him for being so meek at a time like this.

At least until swinging axe comes out of nowhere, nearly lopping his nose off.

Then, he pauses for a breather, standing stiff as a board with the metal mere millimeters from his face.]

...'kay. Maybe we should slow down a little. ...just a bit, though.

[blastedass]

[Luckily for them, there aren't any children out here. Those were all back in the village. Probably not considered 'strong enough' for the ritual work in the castle. Like hell does Bakugo want to deal with vampire kids flying down from the ceiling with knives for teeth and coals for eyes. He's not spent any time looking at the people he's defeated, some of them left in adjoining rooms or out the windows before they headed underground and lost access to the latter.

Bakugo blitzes past more cultists, sizzling hands and explosive waves knocking them into walls while his legs and knees cripple other attackers by blowing out their joints or knocking them from their sockets. Shots to the head or bodily impacts thud them into the walls around, simultaneously knocking them out and clearing the path forward. Doors barely have time to bow inward before the resulting detonation sends them flying off their hinges and into the rooms beyond as chunky burning projectiles.]

Who the fuck's sitting back and relaxing?! You wanna fight, Cat-Eyes?! [Bakugo could also throw caution to the wind and hammer his way straight down through the bedrock with one explosion after another. That would get him to their allies the fastest, while bringing the castle and catacombs down around their fucking heads! How smart is that?! There's no meekness in Bakugo's actions. What he means is being on guard as they blow into the next room, looking to the sides as well as forward.

Case in point. The axe is met with a furious uppercut, scouring the entire wall black with a smearing carpet bombing and reducing the trap to ashes and slag.] You can't save anyone if you're dead.

[His tone's dark and serious despite the admonishment.] What are those black things you're radiating?

[Bakugo indicates the dark cracks around Yato's feet. Are they rifts, energy crawling along the ground, or actual damage breaking apart the stones? And no, he's not stopping. They're still moving forward as they talk.]

[intertwinedfates]

[Thank goodness for what mercies they can get, huh... It's a small comfort, knowing that they don't have to strike down any kids, since out of all the villagers, they're probably the only ones that can be considered 'innocent.' Whether they remain that way will depend on their reaction to this battle. The fact LILITH wants them taken back is another issue for later, though.

Doors themselves prove to be little obstacle for Yato's teammate, thankfully, sparing him the trouble of dulling his blades on wood or steel alike. LILITH-brand blades are a far cry from shinki weapons, capable of cutting through anything and everything provided the soul they're made from has the will for it. It's a damn inconvenience to be held back by so many mortal limitations. If he had all his abilities and weapons, he wouldn't need any help tearing through this castle...]

Don't tempt me, Blast Boy! [It's tough to not whirl on Bakugo and let him have a piece of his mind, but any thoughts of doing so are quite literally cut short by his triggering of the trap. Breathing out through his nose in an almost snort, he watches as the axe gets blown to smithereens in one swift motion, allowing him to relax a bit more.

Fair point, but he's in no mood to agree. So instead he huffs irritably, arms crossed briefly while he has a mini snit fit.] As if I don't know that!

[At the question, however, he turns more serious and resumes walking hastily, glancing at his palm to watch the dark wisps twist in on themselves and stretch out like they want to consume everything in their path. Thankfully they don't seem to be causing any damage to the area around them, but it's tough to say if that might be true of anyone who gets in their way.]

...my aramitama. A manifestation of the vengeance of a god. Means you don't wanna piss me off right now, to put it mildly. If a god allows themself to go too far one direction, it takes over and we become blind to everything, friend or foe alike. That's why we have to hurry.

[Screwing his eyes tight as they make their way down a longer passageway, he tries to regulate his breathing a bit. When he speaks again, it's quiet, almost guilty.] I know I'll lose it completely if anything happens to Hiyori. Even you won't be safe.

[blastedass]

[Don't ask Bakugo if he thinks the kids are innocent. He doesn't like the little brats in the first place. Kids can be evil shits when they want to be. (Or get trained or pushed to be.) Several were left behind in his explosive wake among the villagers, though he usually knocked them out or threw them aside rather than blasted them.

Like Yato, Bakugo's also dealing with his power's full ability being snuffed. Apart from the intermittent waves from the rift and unseen kaiju below, letting loose with a flurry of explosions within the confined walls of the dungeon halls and descending stairs under a fucking castle is just asking to bring the thing down on their heads if he's not careful. Dammit...]

Haa?! I'll kick your ass! [Contrary to Yato, the blonde's anger isn't as genuine (ironically for once) between them, cocky nature clashing with his nerves and wanting to keep the god beside him on a more level head. Distracting him even a small bit with a rivalry isn't a bad idea. Sheesh, Yato's snappish responses remind him of someone he knows... Fucking annoying!]

Then stop acting like you don't! [Pot calling kettle. He listens to Yato's explanations as they cover the next stretch of hallway towards the locked door ahead of them. He ignores the lofty comment and slots it in as energy used when the god's mad. A risky power that threatens to turn him god rabid.] If you start foaming and drooling, I'll knock you out.

[There's no mockery in his voice, only a determined promise. Bakugo kicks open the next door, forcing it to swing on the hinges and slam into the wall behind it. Only a second or so of waiting leads him stepping in. More people come charging from the other side and he clicks his tongue in annoyance.] Doitsu mo koitsu mo...

[Everyone's fucking crazy here, one after another.]

Don't look down on me, Yato. [You don't scare him. He's faced death before.] Take 'em out.

[intertwinedfates]

[The worst part is that normally Yato adores kids, enjoys seeing happy children and parents together. Something he never got to experience himself. Yet the fact these villagers are using their own flesh and blood to try forming a barricade to prevent them from rescuing their friends is enough to make him sick. And even hate the little twerps for standing in their way. It's a frustrating contradiction that only serves to ire him more.

Thankfully they're no really part of the castle's defenses, leaving them to only deal with adults, traps, and fucking undead individuals who look like something out of a horror movie. Which is plenty trouble as is. Somewhere in the back of his mind he's aware that Bakugo has to pull his explosive punches to keep everyone safe from debris and unwanted destruction. He'll be grateful for it later, but right now it's merely another annoyance.]

I'd like to see you try! [Though he knows the kid could probably do a damn good job of keeping him at bay and blasting him until he's worn out and injured if he chose to. It's not (much of) a real threat, just something to keep them going and get the blood pumping. It almost gets him smiling again, which is a good sign. Shows that he's gradually calming down, if only by a small degree.]

Tch... Fine, whatever. [He agrees mostly to appease the brat, though there is some honest acknowledgement in there as well. He won't deny that he himself is a danger to Bakugo and the rest of their team as well in this moment as he slowly slips further and further towards instability. Hearing that Bakugo would take him out if he gets too far gone is... reassuring, actually. It gets a chuckle out of him along with a wry smile.] Don't think I'll go that far, but if you need to, go for it. I won't blame you.

[This time Yato waits at the doorway to skim the room for any signs of traps when the next wave of opponents come charging out at them, earning an annoyed sigh from the god. Honestly, these peons are just getting to be a waste of their time. ...which may be the point. Turning grim, he nods in agreement.] No kidding.

[Finally, a genuine grin makes its wake onto his face. Bakugo definitely reminds him of Yukine in both the best and worst ways. Determined, with a temper, yet strong when the situation calls for it... If there was time, he'd be a bastard and ruffle the kid's hair. Alas. No time for games, not when he raises his swords to prepare for the next onslaught.]

I'd never. Nothing but respect for ya, kid. [Rushing forward, he slashes at the first fang-clad individual's legs, making him fall forward so he can hit him on the back of the head with the hilt of his blade. Non-lethal means for the moment. He's feeling more in control of himself after the bantering.] Careful not to bring the house down on us~

[blastedass]

Keep running your damn mouth and I will! [This is more than their usual banter, with Yato's happy optimism and stubborn obtuse nature clashing into Bakugo's angry wall. But it keeps the guy talking and hopefully not sinking further into his nigh-feral state. The tiniest curl of Yato's mouth is some sign of progress, even if it's only keeping the monster inside barely at bay. Once they find the kaiju, the god can sic his entire fury on the creature.]

Better not. I'll get you a stupid bandage too. [Something annoying that Yato will grumble at when he wakes up. Yeah, that's a very mature sense of "revenge" going on here. Bakugo's mouthing off for the sake of having the last word and nothing else. His arguments die down when they approach any sort of door or bulge from the wall, not wanting to distract either of them from being ready for a trap or ambush in the shadows. Luckily the cultists down here seem to be more the "honor before life!" type and charge like fools.

He lets Yato deal with the next wave, standing to the side and checking the metal brace around his neck. Seems he trusts the god completely to get the job done, though only an idiot would think Bakugo wasn't paying any sort of attention. Like hell would he want to be a god's shinki for the long term. It's not his problem to keep some dumbass in check. But tonight, he's making an exception. Until they get Yato's girlfriend back and Bakugo's focused on his own partner.]

Haa?! I'm not a fucking kid! You look like a 13 year old! [No he doesn't. He finishes checking on his equipment, growling at the failure to activate it. Damn EMP field's passing overhead. Swinging his hand forward, other hand circled in an "o" in front of his palm, Bakugo fires a concentrated beam of heat and light, punching two of the vampires and knocking them into the corner against a third.] Keep moving!

[intertwinedfates]

Save it for after we've rescued them, yeah? I'd hate to knock your ass out now when you're proving pretty damn handy! [At least he's acknowledging the hero for his merits even while bordering on raging? That speaks to his state of mind being somewhat even, at least. He's clinging on by more than a thread, thankfully, with Bakugo's banter being a refuge in familiarity that keeps him on an even keel.]

Make it something cute or sexy, wouldja? [He lets out a bark of laughter at the thought, wondering whether Bakugo would blush heartily at something risque or if he'd manage to rein in his indignation. Maybe one day he'll be able to find out, just for shits and giggles. For now, however, he grows serious as well when they traverse to another room, this one lined with statues of the demonic god housed within. Definitely a canine from the looks of it.

So it comes as no surprise when more mooks leap out from the shadows, daring to challenge the god. Something they're likely to quickly regret when Yato lays into them with both swords - slicing the thighs of one cultist before turning to the next and just plain punching them to knock them out. The third is an unfortunate woman who manages to get to close and earns her death for her efforts when he lashes out instinctively to cut her down.

He regards her crumpled form on the ground with a mixture of regret and anger, finally settling for indifference as he steps over the body to continue on. They can't be held back by trivial matters like remorse or empathy. There's no time for it.]

At least say eighteen! I might be youthful, but I'm not that immature! [Not physically, anyway. He definitely doesn't act like a mature adult a lot of the time. With the blast from Bakugo rushing past, he flinches just a bit and marvels at how accurate he is with what seems like an imprecise ability.] You don't need to tell me that! Though maybe you should take up bowling.

[Always a smartass, even in times like this.]

[blastedass]

WHAT'D YOU SAY?! I'VE TAKEN OUT WAY MORE THAN YOU, BAKAMI!! [Has he? Who the hell knows. Bakugo wasn't wasting the effort to count. Call him "handy" will you? Don't make it sound like he's some tool you found useful! Maybe it's toeing a line with Yato's current temper on a thread, but Bakuo's never going to relinquish his pride! If it happens to keep the god in a better state of mind, that's just fucking lucky on the side.]

You're getting duct tape! [How about neither and slap on the worst crap imaginable? He'd clean, medicate, and bind the wound first, THEN put on the skin-grabbing silver strip for Yato to wrestle with later. At least the smooth-skinned anime guy trope means it won't hurt as much coming off. Something they can deal with later when they're not skidding to a stop between wolf-themed statues lining the room. Shit, it had to be something spooky. October can't leave well enough alone.

Bakugo rounds on the cultists coming at him, driving his fist into one stomach and sending the woman flying towards the corner of the room. A second explosion already ignites, propelling him forward and ramming both knees into two more cultists. While those wicked-looking metal kneepads were personally designed so Bakugo could "kill with his knees" he's never actually done so. As expected. Those sternums are likely cracked though.

A final explosion blows the fourth offender into a stone wolf's head, leaving the man flopped over its snout like laundry. He lands on his feet and heads for the door without stopping, explosions propelling him across the floor with barely any kick below. Yato's fast enough to keep up and the space is wider, letting him use his Quirk easier in this area.] Haa?! Bowling's boring!

[Not that he hasn't played in the past.]

[intertwinedfates]

The baka's the one saying baka, Bakagou! [Even during their sprint forward, he spares a moment to turn and make a face at Bakugou, seeming more like himself in that moment than he has all day. He may regret it later, but in this instant it's a breath of normality, a tether to sanity in its ridiculousness. A welcome and much needed release for his anger in a safe way, relatively speaking.]

I'll duct tape your mouth, punk! [He would, too, just to gleefully watch Bakugou struggle against the bindings. It'd be a riot and a half to watch the kid squirm, unable to spout the insults and threats he so desperately loves to level at others. But that's for another time. Right now they have more important things to deal with. Traps and cultists, oh my.

Thankfully their petty bickering doesn't in any way hinder Bakugo either, as he skillfully takes out three of their opponents with precision and force. If Yato were to say one thing, the hero makes for a reliable ally; he's glad that out of everyone who could accompany him on his way to rescue the others, it's Bakugo. He may tease and mock him mercilessly, but he truly values the strength and resolve the kid has.

It frees him up to take down another couple of fang-bearing cultists who appear from the far door and are swiftly greeted by Yato's blades. He'd love to just lop the heads off to be sure they can't rise again, but that seems too extreme for even a hero to bear witness to. He's maintaining some semblance of decency despite his feral urges.] Not when you're using bodies, it's not!

[He proves his point by kicking another cultist down a flight of stairs, toppling over the pair that had been following behind. Strike!]

[blastedass]

CAUSE YOU'RE A BAKAMI, BAKA BAAAKA!! [This is their maturity level right now, in the midst of this carnage and horror. And this asshole has time to turn and make a face at him?! Bastard! It'd serve him right to run face first into a shitty wall! Bakugo retorts instantly with a gremlin face, tongue out and middle finger up. He'll blow Yato up at a later time for this shit! It comes with an added bonus of being even more personally pissed off when other cultists interrupt them.]

Ha! You couldn't even tear a strip off! [Yes he could, but hell if he's letting Yato get away with anything right now! The god would be lucky to get away with less than half his body wrapped up in silver sticky mummy binds! Duct tape over every inch! That's what's in the god's future! Since the present is full of idiots slamming into walls and flying down halls from their stupid attempts to get in the way of these two dumbasses.

It pisses him off Yato doesn't have his full powers and shinki sword. The skill he's putting forth with these two LILITH loaners is impressive enough. Cutting exactly where he needs to cripple and only killing if the absolute necessity calls for it. Whether or not their opponents are "alive" as humans is a question he can't answer, so he continues to avoid killing. Either way, Yato's an ally Bakugo's come to trust and value; working alongside him now is a boon to both of them.]

If you have to use gutters, you suck already, bowloser! [Argue that! The walls of the stairwell make getting that resulting strike child's play! Hardly worth accepting as a challenge. Another roar of light and smoke send the downstairs door flying into the hall afterwards, crashing on the floor amid a cloud of burning vapor. Now they're getting somewhere... This looks far more "pre-preparation of rites" room for cult activity.]

[intertwinedfates]

Baby Baka's bwak bwak bwakking! [Calling him a chicken? Abso-fucking-lutely. This has devolved into some of the most childish banter, and yet it's somehow keeping Yato more focused than he was when he was fueled by blind rage. Whatever it takes, huh? He may pay for it later, but in the current moment, it's well worth it. At least he doesn't quite have time to return the rude gesture, with them having to continue onward.]

Just you wait-- I'll show you what I'm capable of! [Clearly there's going to be a duct tape war once they're back at base. Better than being like Godzilla and blowing up a room, at least? Hell, he wishes he had some of the sticky silver stuff right now - it's be satisfying to just tie up their opponents in duct tape and leave them to rot for a time.

Alas, they have only their current skills and abilities to handle any opposition facing them. For Yato, that means LILITH swords and his own millennia of experience. One of these days he'll practice with the water sword to see what it can do, but right now he's sticking to simple attacks to ensure nobody gets back up to stop them.]

Better than having to play ten pin 'cause your baby arms can't handle real balls! [Although from the guns Bakugo has, he gets the feeling he would be able to bowl with the heaviest available. He just felt like throwing out a tacky joke. Just in time, too, for he grows serious as the atmosphere changes into one reeking of dampness and iron - a smell that can only be blood. Slowing to a cautious walk, Yato grips his blades and glares into the gloom, voice hoarse with anger when he speaks.]

...this must be it. We've gotta be close. Stay on your toes, alright? They may have done something to our friends... We can't afford to strike them down.

[blastedass]

URUSEI, 5 YEN!! [Falling back on the classics means he's not smart enough for his own insults! (Not like Bakugo's one to talk.) Call him a chicken and he'll call you lame, dammit! He doesn't care if it's childish; it's a battle now and he's not losing anything! Some dumbass comes charging in from the side and "FUCK OFF!!" gets blasted without Bakugo even looking. Don't interrupt when he's kicking someone's ass in a verbal insult war!]

Hoh? Guess I'll wait another five damn months! [He's seen impressive from Yato before but this is petty city so there's no memory of anything remotely whistle-worthy from the god! Clearly there will be war. Maybe he won't blow up a room, but perhaps Yato will open his door and find nothing but duct tape all over the doorway! Don't waste duct tape on these assholes. There's much better use for it than that.]

I've thrown you, ya damn stick figure! [Bakugo tends to alternate based on his mood. The heavier balls are obviously more powerful, but snapping a lighter one down the lane like a bullet can get just as intense results thanks to higher speed. He wants a personalized bowling ball, but that's never happened. Not gonna spend the money. Stone grits under his boot as he walks into the room, arms swinging by his side. The sound of battle from other areas is making its way closer, other Outsiders from other halls and doors.]

Brainwashing? Tch, knock 'em out if they come at us. [He doubts it, considering the scent of blood and horrific tropes already. Their companions are likely imprisoned and tortured... which only fuels his anger more. It won't be more than ten minutes before the kaiju's summoned and the real battle starts.]

[intertwinedfates]

Uncalled for! [That's hitting below the belt! Honestly, their bickering would be hilarious in its absurdity if they weren't on a dire rescue mission. As it is, it's downright petty and bordering on ludicrous. Something Yato would point out if he didn't think it'd make him look like the loser in their little war. He has to laugh at how Bakugo just literally blows off the attempted attack on him in favor of keeping it going. The kid's great, he really is.]

If I leave you waiting that long, it's so you never know when it's coming! [Yato's already entertaining the idea of making every piece of furniture in Bakugo's room out of duct tape and then replacing the real stuff with it. Let's see him sleep on a duct tape bed, HAH! Though it would be pretty amusing to walk face-first into a spider web of duct tape over his doorway. He'd probably get stuck to it like a dumbass. He's not a morning person at all. Can they get in trouble for wasting base supplies? Maybe they'll be punished with having to scrub the whole place with a toothbrush.]

Yeah, and? I'm a stick, aren't I?! [Showing your ass there, kiddo! Though his stance on bowling balls is quite clever and wise. There's a time and place for heavily artillery and circumstances for lighter ammo. The trick is knowing when to use each one. Nodding in spite of their silly back and forth, he listens carefully to the sounds echoing around. Hoping to possibly hear those who were taken, and Hiyori especially. They must be here somewhere...]

That's all we can do. Who knows what else they might've been put through. We can't afford to actually fight them even if they don't recognize us. [He's had to deal with Hiyori attacking him before, and it's not an ordeal he wants to repeat. He doesn't even care much about the kaiju this time - all he wants is to get everyone out and leave this place. Maybe they can set the whole castle ablaze once their allies are clear of it...]

[blastedass]

Suck it! [Arguably so is that. Bakugo isn't pulling his punches right now on anything, from their opponents to Yato. This is petty and stupid, but he doesn't give a shit. He's winning the immature bicker war and no one's going to stop him! Including the bastard who's now stuck in the wall like modern art. Smoking modern art. Anyone else who wants to get involved will have the same result done to them, including any shitty traps they want to drop on them.]

You make it sound like I couldn't react in time! [His reflexes and reaction speeds are top notch, dammit! He's dodged some impressive things in his life up til now. From bullets to instant ice to maniac villains with knives and other bullshit! Though if Yato managed to get into his room and replaced his furniture with duct tape, that would set off some killer dorm war shenanigans. Even if some small part of him would be imprissed how the god managed to do all of that! Serious dedication. Where the fuck would his normal furniture be?! Stick to the duct tape web to the face in the morning. That'll be better. And probably, to the wasting supplies.]

AND I THREW YOU!! [How the hell is that a detriment?! Literally downgrading Yato's weight to nothing! Ugh, he's not arguing that one because he totally won! Bowling is an interesting thing with Class 1-A. You should've seen how they did a swimming competition; everyone used their Quirks, so only three people actually swam! Bakugo's at least wary enough to cut his volume from time to time so they can listen to the surrounding area. Other Outsiders are also fighting their way down.]

Knock them out. You know how to do that. [He'd say tie them up, but at this point, they could get out of it. Knock them out and then tie them up would be the better way to go about it.] The kaiju should be showing up here soon. [They've been wary of this bastard for a while now. There's no other time for it to show than this.] We'll have to take care of that bastard first.

[intertwinedfates]

Tch... Brat. [For the moment Yato will concede their bicker war to him in favor of focusing more on their surroundings. Fun as it been (???), he cares more about their mission than winning some petty argument with Bakugo. They can either leave it at that or continue later on. Either is fine by him. As long as Bakugo maintains his current progress of throwing everyone and everything out of their way, he'll be content with that.]

Maybe that's exactly what I'm saying! [It's not. He's just trying to incite the kid into working harder and getting them to the central room faster. The sooner they hurry there, the less likely the prisoners are to be hurt or killed. That's his only concern right now. Everything else, including their own safety, is a distant second. A even more distant third is the potential to ignite a full-blown prank war. He'd do it, too! He is that petty and spiteful at times. (Read: childish)]

Okay, okay! I admit that was impressive. [Though to be fair, as a god he does tend to weigh a LOT less, or at least he normally does. maybe not quite so much now that he's partially mortal. Damn human bodies... It's one of those things he hates being stuck with at times like this, as well. If he was his full strength, godly self, whatever they're up against probably wouldn't be an issue. But he's not, so it is. It's damn annoying. At least he's not on his own in any capacity. He has Bakugo and the others hurrying after them.]

Something you don't need to tell me. [Considering he'd much rather take their heads, knocking them out will have to be good enough.] Let it show its ugly mug. I'll kill the damn thing myself. [Gripping his swords tighter, he glares ahead as if daring the kaiju to show itself.] I'm sure as hell not letting it hurt any more people. Its existence is a blight on this world!

[Maybe that did it or it's sheer coincidence, but after those words leave Yato's mouth, a rift seems to open up in the center of the room and the creature starts crawling out. It's just as ugly as he expected, lupine in nature and a perfect fit for the statues they passed by. In a flash Yato lunges for the beast, snarling and emitting even more black tendrils of energy as he does so.]

Now's our chance!

[blastedass]

[It only takes that brief snip to cut it off with his victory. Something to crow about later when they aren't dealing with the rising threat of the kaiju and cultists who want to make their lives further living hell. Bakugo's never elevated anything about the mission they're on, bickering little more than a sidebar to keep Yato in his head (and win, of course). Leaving the ruined halls behind, the blonde walks into the chamber before them, eyes narrowed and nerves ready.]

Maybe you'll get your ass handed to you then. [He worked damn hard and they're heading into the central room as they speak, dammit! Cutting his proverbial engines since the get go was only done to take a brief rest, and that only happened when one of his teammates spun out of control. Sheesh, three of them, Yato included. Wasn't Bakugo the one with the anger issue? Why's he having to grab and rein in these damn extras? It's not like he gives a shit about them or anything. Except he does. A lot of shit about these three in particular.

Aside, the prank war will get the dorm involved. It will not be contained.]

That's the point. [He told him that simply to incite the guy's heat again, but to also remind him not to go lopping off heads if he can help it. As other Outsiders come pouring into the room from various doorways and halls, one of them even knocking through the damn wall from a sealed-off hidden entrance, Bakugo watches the kaiju emerge from the ritual summon. Whether that's a rift opening to let it in or something related to the kaiju itself, it's impressive. Stupid, but impressive. Time to take this fucking monster dog to obedience school.]

DIE!! [A blitz from several Outsiders ends in a massive failure as a pulse from the unseen rift or the kaiju itself temporarily stunts their individual powers and electronics. Yato might far better in this regard, but Bakugo's send crashing into the wall amid a cloud of dust and dirt for his hubris.]

[intertwinedfates]

[No more time for games, unfortunately. If there was ever a point Yato needs his feral, bloodthirsty side, it's now. He can't let it be weakened or diminished by distractions when the lives of their friends are at stake. Although, hmm, maybe a stake is exactly what they should've brought. Seems like they're in a special version of a gothic hell, after all. Oh well. Swords will have to do for the time being. If they need to impale the damned kaiju with anything else, maybe Bakugo can toss him again.]

Heh... Keep that up, that's the kind of attitude we need. [He knows full well there's nobody that tries harder than Bakugo when it comes to missions. It's rare to find anyone so young being that serious about helping others, even if he does put up a believable front of not giving a damn about others. One just has to read between the lines to see that he cares. Something Yato is used to doing with Yukine.. Teenage boys, huh. Always a damn handful.

It makes him grin in determination to prank the little brat once they return home.]

The only point that matters right now is the end of my swords. [He'll do his best to keep from hacking anything but the kaiju to smithereens; he's not unaware that the defeat of their lord might either undo whatever compels them to fight, or at least might lessen their fervor for hostilities. Besides, the real reason they're here is the kaiju itself. Everything else is simply ancillary.

Thankfully they're not alone in their fight, though in some ways it might be better if they were. Less people to worry about hitting, for starters. But there's also something to be said about strength in numbers, so Yato merely grits his teeth as the wave of energy blows his partner back and forces him to cover his face from debris.]

Tch, damn thing--! [Hopefully Bakugo can handle himself for a moment, because Yato's going for what strikes he can, hoping to score a clean hit while everyone's held back by the energy field disabling them. He aims directly for the beast's heart, managing to nick it by the ribs as it dodges out of the way before tackling another Outsider with a roar.]

[blastedass]

[Dammit, he can't believe he's picking himself out of the fucking wall with Yato's shitty 'dad joke' echoing in his rattle brain. Grabbing onto a stone jutting out in front of him, Bakugo pulls forward and sits up in a chunk of wall shaped vaguely of his own outline. Back throbbing, elbows and tailbone still ringing with the pain of impact. He can't tell if his ribs are cracked or broken. Now he has to deal with this bastard shutting off their powers manually.

Yeah, he's trained a lot to be able to fight without his Quirk, but to suddenly have it erased as if Aizawa-sensei looked at him? It'll always catch him off guard since he doesn't expect it. Shit, now he can't rely on the damn rift regularly making timed pulses. It's at this creature's discretion until he finds out otherwise. A quick check fails to make sparks or even secrete his sweat on command. Completely cut off...

Move. He can't sit here in powerlessness. Bakugo snarls as he stands up, forcing the pain aside. Move. He can still fight. Red eyes lock onto the battlefield, noticing the way the Outsiders who can swarm it are still doing so, with the ones reliant on their powers likewise picking themselves out of a stunned impact.

Yato does get a nick in on the ribs, obviously going for the heart, but once the kaiju starts to shift and squirm, that heart moves elsewhere as it shapeshifts from a canine semblance to an avian cloak. Shit, so immortal and shapeshifting. He's feeling optimistic. As it takes off, Bakugo instantly notices its aversion to the glowing plants in the room. That's where he's headed now.]

[intertwinedfates]

[Talk about divine punishment, huh. Thankfully Bakugo will be spared any more jokes for the time being, as Yato's put them on the back burner to focus solely on taking down their main opponent. If any more mooks flow into the room, he's not paying them a lick of attention unless they get in his way - everything he's got is being put into taking the wolf god apart, limb by fucking limb if he has to.

During their clash he's careful to try directing the beast away from those who were affected by its energy burst, except it seems keen to dodge when he least expects it to, as Yato's yet to notice that it's the plants the kaiju is staying away from. One of the problems with being so laser-focused on one thing.

He lets out a snarl as the shape of his target changes, leading to him missing his goal of the heart. Stupid, cheating little son of--! Even with two blades, it's tough to pin the Pickly-whatsit down, as all it has to do is change form to dodge out of the way. It's damn infuriating, and eventually Yato resorts to less practiced moves and more random jabs in hopes that'll throw the beast off--

--which it does, finally. He manages to stab the creature in the arm, earning a howl as he rushes it into the wall, pinning it there briefly as he glances over a shoulder to check that Bakugo is okay. For whatever reason the kid's running off in the opposite direction, mystifying and irritating Yato as his attention turns back towards his opponent.]

Whatever you're doing over there, hurry it up, wouldja?! I could use a little help here even if all you can do is punch shit!

[blastedass]

[Bastard. He expected more interference from the unseen right, but the three minute, five minute pattern pumped out during their blitz through the forest and castle is no more reliable. Whether the kaiju can spam the rift's effects at will or it also needs a recharge period is the next question. As much as Bakugo's trained himself to fight well without his Quirk, taking his fists and knees to the shape-changing behemoth is a stupid ass idea.

But if this bastard's going to avoid something in the room, that's exactly the thing Bakugo's headed for. He crouches down beside the glowing plant, glancing from it to the creature as the unaffected Outsiders continue the assault. Wolfsbane. Fucking cliche. Probably explains why there are no silver decorations in the castle. Tch, make use of what he has.

Dodging another cultist without hesitation, Bakugo catches the guy by the back of the head and rams him right into the wall. The body slumps a ragdoll on the floor and he snatches the sickle-like item from his hand. Sparks fly with every bash against the stone, knocking old mortar free until the bricks and rocks came next. Chunking off enough stones to get a pile, he grabs the cultist's robes and rips strips from the hem. Binding a sprig of wolfsbane to the rock with one strip is enough to make a projectile. Four of them lie at his feet by the time the familiar heat sensation blooms again. Three and a half minutes...

Not reliable enough.

Someone's yelling at him. Bakugo jerks his head up in a glare.] DON'T ORDER ME AROUND!! I'M WORKING ON IT!! [Before a massive explosion slams into the kaiju's head as the blonde returns to the battle in full charge.]

[intertwinedfates]

[If only all kaiju could be nice and follow a set pattern... This jumping around bs is not only tiring, it's damn annoying as well, making them waste time and energy chasing it all over the room, to say nothing of when it manages to sneak up on them and get a strike in. It has to have some kind of limit to the amount of times it can vanish, right? Either that or maybe their best bet would be to just position their fighters at a set spacing around the room so that no matter where it appears, it'll run into one of them.

He's about to suggest as much to the other Outsiders when the damn wolf reappears by his shoulder; something he can sense more than see. He tries rolling out of the way and manages to mostly dodge, save for a swipe of claws nicking his leg and earning a hiss of pain as he crouches to assess the injury.

Not too bad, all things considered. Provided it doesn't have any poison or vampiric qualities to its attacks. Shaking his head, Yato stands, readying his swords for the next time the creature reappears. He's noticed there's always a slight vibration in the air before it shows up, likely a side effect of the rift opening. Whirling this way and that, he tries to feel for the disruption in the air, when--]

There--!

[Again he lunges for the kaiju, aiming his swords in two separate places with the hope that one might catch it before it can slip back to whatever dimension it's hiding in. This time he succeeds in nailing the damn thing's leg, much to its loud displeasure. As it sinks down into the rift, it slams its claws into the ground, taking up a chunk to throw at its assailants, forcing Yato to dive for the ground or risk getting nailed in the head with a hunk of rock.

Vaguely, he registers Bakugo shouting in return and throws an exasperated glance over his shoulder while he lays there for a moment to have a breather. What the hell is the kid doing...? Some kind of plant?]

Would it help if I said "please"?! [Ah, here he comes-- that's more like the Bakugo he knows. Fiery and explosive, a man with a plan.]

[blastedass]

[LILITH doesn't have the same amount of detail on this creature they had with the others. Obviously, considering they were basically banned from the village until the eleventh hour, unable to contact the Outsiders or send their own people in for their usual skulking in the background research. However the fuck that happens. A vague splay of its shown abilities, at least one damn weakness, and the rest boils down to the most basic procedure for handling kaiju: beat the ever-living shit out of it!

Bakugo snarls at the impact on Yato, glancing to the side as he flips backwards from the recoil of his explosion. Boots skid on the ground again when he lands, noting the injury. Not deep, considering the god's already rising from his inspecting crouch. More Outsiders lay into the attack, prompting the creature to shift again. If this bastard keeps changing shape, they're never going to get a fatal strike in! To say nothing of it blinking in and out of view like a shitty game of whack-a-mole.

Ka-boom! Smoke and light obliterate the rock thrown at Yato, making the dive for the ground a wasted effort. (Not that he could've known.) Bakugo stands up beside him, tossing one of the bricks up and down in his free hand as he scans around the area for the cowardly wolf. Or whatever shape it's taking now. Probably licking some wounds in the dimension concealing it. Is he gonna help Yato up? Fuck no! Not when this Bakami's been shouting at him all this time!]

Here. [And drops the brick right on Yato's belly. THUNK! Yeah, he's a merciless bully. We know this.] Next time you get a good shot at its mouth or open wound, cram that thing in there. It's been avoiding the wolfsbane patches this entire fight.