Reality's a Bitch(1x1 with KayKay)

[Chewy Rabbits]

Yukin stepped in with her blade to block once again, her blade glowing a light blue from her Qi. Then her leg thrust forward, aiming to strike Gold Tiger's solar plexus. A strike there would wind anyone, allowing easy follow up and forcing a long recovery time from the damage.

Naturally, a fighter like him was aware of that. Hardening his chest, he managed to deflect her kick, which was weakened by her being off-balance thanks to having to block an attack first.

"Neijia...looks are certainly deceiving."

"Only a fool will fight purely based on appearance!"

It seemed even getting a scratch on this guy was proving to be a difficult task, despite his almost comical style of speech.

"RAAARGH!"

Astaroth's claws were sharp enough to tear through flesh like tissue paper and through most armor like cardboard. When paired up with flames from the deepest pits of Hell? They were quite the threat! Except when it came to opponents, Astaroth had simply written off as musclebound simpletons to begin with. The claw came swinging in but as the fire dissipated from it, the demon's eyes lit up as the claw was swatted by the nunchuck. It was only enough to knock the blow off course but what this guy may have lacked in intelligence, he made up for in raw power!

The blow caused Astaroth to tilt his head back and screech! Had he thought that the redhaired bastard was harder than this guy? Well, at least he went down with one good punch. This guy refused to even let one stray blow clock him right in the face! But the demon would have bigger problems to worry about and likely some brain damage if he wasn't careful! That nunchuck was coming in quick and even if he impaled this guy with his tail, the blow would have almost certainly still connected and rattled his goddamn noggin.

Thankfully, he wouldn't have to dodge or counter-attack as Yukin came in for the save. Though, it wasn't like he asked for the save or anything...

He totally could have gotten out of that one! Flapping his wings to get some distance from Yukin and Tiger while he thought up his next move, Astaroth shook the claw that had been swatted. Try to work out the kinks that the blow had left in it. What the hell was this guy's damage? He was strong and with every blow that came his way, he seemed to have an answer to it. Not to mention every word he spewed annoyed the crap out of the demon! Who really talked like this guy did?

Wait! That was it! If it was this guy's voice that annoyed him then all he'd have to do is sound it out. Obviously given the way his ears were structured, ear plugs were a bit out of the question. But if he could just try and focus on something else, like a song maybe..?

...Well, it wasn't exactly the classiest of songs. But this was a life or death battle, he didn't need class here. He needed to kick some ass! Now that his mind was focusing on something other than this dip's bold voice, maybe he could try and think of a way to win this. He had already tried a straight on head attack and the guy deflected it. He tried disemboweling him and the guy tanked it. What was there left to do?

Looking over his shoulder at this tail, an idea circulated in the demon's head. Well, the idea of knocking shit at Tiger with his tail had come up. But he seemed a bit too proficient with those nunchucks. If he knocked it back and Astaroth was forced to destroy it before he or Yukin got hit, it'd only be a waste of energy for both of them and it'd give Tiger an opening to attack. Which is why Astaroth decided he'd try and mix it up!

Digging his tail through the ground, Astaroth sent up a heap of debris in Tiger's direction. But as the debris went flying, Astaroth sent out a ball of hellfire behind it. Sure, sure he could probably knock those out of the park. But what if he wasn't here to try and tank them? Vanishing into his shadow form once more, Astaroth slinked across the ground and waited until Tiger moved to deflect the incoming attacks. Once he did then he'd leap out and smash his elbow into the bastard's head!

All the while the cheery music continued to play in his head.

@Kaykay



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[Kaykay]

Gold Tiger, as expected, had little trouble bashing away the debris. And fire against a man whose swings wiped oxygen from the air was simply never going to be of use unless it caught him by surprise. But feints were among the basics of fighting, an experienced martial artist like him wouldn't fall for it simply because some concrete was flying towards him. Like heat seeking missiles, his nunchucks crushed the debris into dust, putting out the fires behind them.

Yukin, however, also took advantage of the momentary distraction. Flowing her Qi through the dantian meridian, she empowered her sword with all of the Qi her body could muster in that instant. A razor sharp blade that could cut through anything it touched. Sensing the Qi behind him, Gold Tiger swiftly swung out with both of his nunchucks. One struck out at her sword while the other soared past the blade to crack her skull open.

The swordswoman tilted her sword at the incoming nunchuck, slicing it in two as she stepped further in. With the extreme close range she'd brought herself into, the other nunchuck completely missed her, but now her long blade was at a disadvantage to the relatively short range nunchuck.

Fortunately, that was when Astaroth appeared once more. His elbow crashed into Gold Tiger's head, sending him face first into the ground. Yukin was quick to follow up by raising her sword to swiftly decapitate him, but it seemed he wasn't going to go down that easily.

Exerting his Qi, his body rocketed into the air as he pushed off the ground, the air pressure pushing Yukin and Astaroth back as he clung to the ceiling like a spider. His fingers gripped the ceiling, strong enough to dig into it to hold himself up there.

"Your breathing is fantastic, woman! Not many can destroy my nunchucks! But this is the end of the line, you duo of fiends!"

Whirling his single remaining nunchuck, it began to glow a golden yellow befitting his name. WIth only one weapon to channel his Qi into, the effect was far more noticeable. Flying down from the ceiling, he released it from his grip in midair, only to grab it by the chain in the middle rather than either end properly. Twirling the nunchuck by the chain, the two ends created a vacuum of air around him, sucking both Yukin and Astaroth into his territory.

The ever spinning nunchuck seemed to be present everywhere within his range, everything within its reach being decimated in an instant.

This was the range the two were being vacuumed into.

@Chewy Rabbits​

 

[Chewy Rabbits]

Whirling his single remaining nunchuck, it began to glow a golden yellow befitting his name. WIth only one weapon to channel his Qi into, the effect was far more noticeable. Flying down from the ceiling, he released it from his grip in midair, only to grab it by the chain in the middle rather than either end properly. Twirling the nunchuck by the chain, the two ends created a vacuum of air around him, sucking both Yukin and Astaroth into his territory.

The ever spinning nunchuck seemed to be present everywhere within his range, everything within its reach being decimated in an instant.

This was the range the two were being vacuumed into.

Astaroth had to admit that with every passing moment, Yukin seemed to impres him more and more. But this guy was seriously getting on his nerves! He sounded like he belonged in a Saturday morning cartoon than a fight to the death. Feeling himself drawn in towards Tiger as he swung his sole nunchuck, Astaroth's tail smashed into the ground to try and hold himself in place. But it was to no avail, the tail dug through the floor and Astaroth let out a cry before the first blow of the nunchuck smashed into the side of his head.

Black blood dripped from where he'd been struck as his ear began to curl up in pain. One of the drawbacks about having ears like this meant they were a lot more vulnerable to attacks. Another blow cracked Astaroth in the jaw sending blood, spittle and a fang flying away. By the time Astaroth was done here even for a demon he'd look hideous with all his wounds! But as this guy continued to taunt them, Astaroth's blood began to boil as he dug his talons into the ground and raised his left arm to block against the next blow coming for his head.

"SHUT..."

The nunchuck had struck Astaroth's arm with enough force to shatter the bones lying within. But he could deal with the complications of a growing headache, broken arm, and everything else when this guy was down! Lashing out with his free arm, Astaroth attempted to sock Tiger right in the face.

"YOUR FUCKIN HOLE!"

@Kaykay​

 

[Kaykay]

A simple, straight-forward, powerful attack. Astaroth's fist was like an incoming car. Though it was fast and strong, it was also predictable and easy to avoid. A power blow thrown straight at the face when within his territory was nothing short of foolishness.

"Hah! You are the only one who will be shut toda-"

As he swung his nunchuck to deflect the punch, it suddenly met a sharp resistance. Yukin had channeled her own Qi, and was swinging her sword to counter the vacuum of air that Gold Tiger was creating. Where air was displaced, she forced it right back in. Thus, she and Astaroth were able to regain their balance, allowing Astaroth to get his full power into his swing while Yukin blocked the nunchuck with her own arm. She winced as she felt her ulna crack from the blow.

But Gold Tiger felt it much worse. The demon's fist planted itself firmly into his face, his nose being disfigured and the whites of his eyes showing for a moment as he was launched backwards, flying across the room into and through the wall behind him.

"...Good hit." Yukin nodded to the demon.

After a few moments, the martial artist exploded from the hole in the wall, disarmed of his nunchucks as he glared the two down once more. Blood dripped from his nose and a little bit leaked from his mouth, but his footing and breathing still seemed steady. Dropping into a horse stance, he chambered both hands at his hips and closed his eyes.

Yukin lashed out with her sword at his left leg. He raised it above the sword before bringing it down, but the swordswoman deftly sped up her swing, getting it out of the way as she spun around. Her spin was quickly followed by a back kick, having chambered it as she moved. It planted itself into Gold Tiger's solar plexus, interrupting his breathing and forcing the air out of him.

And a look of terror entered his eyes as he realized his mistake.

A cold, doll-like glare pierced the Gold Tiger, her blue eyes almost seeming to glow as her sword moved with the grace of a swan.Yet like the executioner's guillotine, it cleanly separated head from body. The bloody fountain quivered for a bit, hardly comprehending what had just happened, before collapsing to the floor, the last vestiges of life disappearing from what was once a powerful martial artist.

Yukin had interrupted his breathing, and thus his power, allowing for one clean, fatal cut. She sheathed her blood-soaked sword and turned to Astaroth.

"Let us move on."

Like nothing had happened, her patrol began once more. Though she couldn't stop the quivering in her shattered forearm. She'd used quite a bit of Qi recently, and didn't want to waste too much on such a trivial injury.

@Chewy Rabbits​

 

[Chewy Rabbits]

A cold, doll-like glare pierced the Gold Tiger, her blue eyes almost seeming to glow as her sword moved with the grace of a swan.Yet like the executioner's guillotine, it cleanly separated head from body. The bloody fountain quivered for a bit, hardly comprehending what had just happened, before collapsing to the floor, the last vestiges of life disappearing from what was once a powerful martial artist.

Yukin had interrupted his breathing, and thus his power, allowing for one clean, fatal cut. She sheathed her blood-soaked sword and turned to Astaroth.

"Let us move on."

Like nothing had happened, her patrol began once more. Though she couldn't stop the quivering in her shattered forearm. She'd used quite a bit of Qi recently, and didn't want to waste too much on such a trivial injury.

"Yeah??? Well...I'm gonna kick your ass!"

Astaroth may have brute force and literal fire power in spades. But he was quite lacking in the department of sarcastic witticisms. Though if it involved shutting this guy up then he could forgo the wit and just pound his face into mush. Though as Astaroth moved forward to do just that, he watched as Tiger had risen back up to his feet and stepped through the hole he had made upon impact.

As a demon, Astaroth didn't have much faith in the idea of God. After all what was God doing when Astaroth had suffered woes as a human? Well, assuming Astaroth did have faith, it would have been all but gone now. How on God's green earth could a guy as obnoxious as this be allowed to get up after a good sock to the face? Shouldn't he have stayed down and earned a broken jaw for his troubles?

"Bastard..." Astaroth growled while baring his fangs. Even as his talons scrapped the ground in preparation for him to move forward, he winced as blood dripped from the cracked armor on his forearm. If nothing else the sheer pain of it all would teach him not to take a nunchuck swing head on. But then before the demon could force himself forward and through the pain, Yukin had made her move!

What a move it turned out to be. Keeping a stone faced expression even as the head landed at his feet, Astaroth promptly raised one of his talons and stepped down on the head. The sound of the skull caving in and no doubt piercing the brain gave Astaroth some modicum of satisfactions. Was grislier than what Astaroth had in mind but at least he wouldn't be running his mouth again. Though Astaroth did take the time to comment on the messiness of the fight.

"...I'm glad Nemo wasn't here to see this."

The kid talked big and Astaroth felt that if he got the proper training when he was older? He'd grow up to be one of a kind. Maybe he'd even surpass the two of them? Deciding to clear his head of such thoughts lest they impede him, Astaroth made his way over to Yukin as he looked down at her arm. "Sure you don't wanna take a second? Heal up? I don't mind waiting."

@Kaykay
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[Kaykay]

Yukin felt inclined to agree with Astaroth's sentiment. Though she wouldn't have changed her action if he were here, she was certainly glad that Nemo hadn't been here. Such a brutal scene was no place for a child, if one could help it.

As for his other inquiry though, she simply shook her head.

"No time."

Her purpose here in Japan was to root out the Bakushin. Exterminate the sects that wished for the destruction of man, as if they were a separate being from those who practiced martial arts. The Heavenly Dragon sect would never accept that philosophy. The faster it was done, the less time they would have to gather their power. If they could call in more and more powerful players in the game, however, it was over. She would never be able to do it on her own.

Thus, such a minor injury could not be attended to. She could continue to fight, so it didn't matter.

Keeping her senses heightened, she remained on the lookout as she walked with Astaroth.

@Chewy Rabbits​

 

[Chewy Rabbits]

"No time."

Her purpose here in Japan was to root out the Bakushin. Exterminate the sects that wished for the destruction of man, as if they were a separate being from those who practiced martial arts. The Heavenly Dragon sect would never accept that philosophy. The faster it was done, the less time they would have to gather their power. If they could call in more and more powerful players in the game, however, it was over. She would never be able to do it on her own.

Thus, such a minor injury could not be attended to. She could continue to fight, so it didn't matter.

Keeping her senses heightened, she remained on the lookout as she walked with Astaroth.

"...If you say so."

Astaroth had to admire the girl's resolve. Their mission was to defeat the group that Red Hair belonged to. Seemed pretty cut and dry but given the amount of power these guys gave off? It was clear that this wasn't exactly going to be the easiest job in the world. But if she wanted to keep going despite her injuries? Then Astaroth wasn't going to baby her. Hell, he didn't even see too many demons who'd shrug off a broken bone like that and keep going as if nothing had happened.

Though the cracked armor on his forearm stung quite a bit. But, hey, that Tiger guy had been a real pain in the ass. So even if it earned him a couple of injuries here and there, Astaroth was finally glad the guy had been silenced. No more of that overdramatic crap.

Following in step beside Yukin, Astaroth's ears fluttered up and down as his tail coiled up. If an enemy tried to sneak up on either of them, a hard enough task to do as it stood, then they best be ready to avoid getting harpooned by a human-sized stinger. But more to the point, Astaroth had another prudent question to ask his erstwhile partner.

"Hey, so was he the most obnoxious guy in this sect? Because if there are more like him..."

Astaroth could and would fight until his body gave out. But if he had to listen to anymore personalities like Tiger, maybe fighting this group wasn't good for his continued mental health.

@Kaykay

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[Kaykay]

Yukin gave a half shrug, as she didn't want to accidentally disrupt her injured arm more than she had to.

"I do not know."

How would she? She didn't know the group personally. Only how to find and exterminate them. Their relationship wasn't that of estranged brothers, or rivals, or anything like that. It was the exterminators and the pests. That was all there was to it. She knew nothing of their individual personalities, their personal quirks, the things that made them human.

Yukin understood how they fought, what techniques they used, and what techniques she could use to counter. And in all likelihood, they thought the same way about her.

---

The sun fell and the moon rose as the hours ticked by. Soon, it was late and most rational people were already home by now. But Yukin's walk wasn't determined by things like work hours. She was the sword that trimmed the tree of martial arts, pruning the bad brances off of its sacred trunk. As they continued to patrol the city, it seemed that there was quite little for them to find. No obvious Qi's trailing them, no oversized commotions. At least, until she made her way to the now deserted subway system.

"...There is something near."

Without any further elaboration, she began to feel at the walls, though she seemed to miss a space that was at just a 2 degree tilt from the rest...

@Chewy Rabbits​

 

[Chewy Rabbits]

The sun fell and the moon rose as the hours ticked by. Soon, it was late and most rational people were already home by now. But Yukin's walk wasn't determined by things like work hours. She was the sword that trimmed the tree of martial arts, pruning the bad brances off of its sacred trunk. As they continued to patrol the city, it seemed that there was quite little for them to find. No obvious Qi's trailing them, no oversized commotions. At least, until she made her way to the now deserted subway system.

"...There is something near."

Without any further elaboration, she began to feel at the walls, though she seemed to miss a space that was at just a 2 degree tilt from the rest...

"Well, it was worth a shot..."

Though he hadn't received an answer he was satisfied with, his mind continued to race. What kind of threats were still in store for them? Were they going to be as menacing as the one-eyed one had been? Or would they be hungry for battle and a chance to spill fresh blood like the red haired bastard? It seemed that they'd only find out when the enemy made their next move. Which as Yukin came to a stop seemed to be sooner than expected.

"Coming out at night huh? Fitting..."

Rats and other vermin loved crawling through the dark as did creatures like bats. Astaroth preferred darkness over anything else really. Less chance of being noticed by stray humans and he could move about as he pleased. Though it seemed like he wasn't going to be able to fully enjoy this night. Watching out of the corner of his eye as Yukin moved her hands across the walls, Astaroth's ears moved up and down before his tail swung outwards!

Like a wrecking ball it sought to slam right into the tilted space on the wall. Yukin may have missed it but Astaroth hadn't. If there was an enemy?

"Come out and show yourself, coward."

@Kaykay​

 

[Kaykay]

Yukin turned with a slightly surprised look as Astaroth suddenly smashed the wall apart with his tail. She remained silent, but gave him a very questioning look. Though it didn't take her long in the end to figure out why he'd done what he did. The destruction of that particular portion of the wall revealed what appeared to be a high school student lying down inside the hole in the wall.

Though, it wasn't merely a small space, or hole inside. His body laid on a flight of stairs leading downward. It seemed somewhat ridiculous, like the kind of secret area you'd find in a video game or something. But then, that was all the more reason nobody would reasonably look for such a thing. There was a delicate balance there, if one thought about it.

But for now, Yukin didn't care about such thoughts. She began to approach the partition in the wall, but as she did the boy suddenly sat up. He looked around as though he were a bit confused for a second before pulling a pair of glasses out from his hoodie and putting them on. With a groan, he finally managed to stand up, though he was still a bit slouched over.

"Er, sorry about the unsightliness. Name's Matsumoto Eiji. You guys aren't by chance, martial artists, are you? ...Well, the girl's aura speaks for itself, but it's hard to tell for you, mister. No offense, or anything, of course."

He was rather plain looking, a completely average teenager of this country no matter how you looked at him. His lanky frame, medium-length hair, and glasses were all extremely...normal. He even had a sense of aloofness, as though lying down in a staircase behind a wall was the most natural thing in the world. If anything, the most unnatural thing about him was how nonchalantly he'd taken in Astaroth's appearance, and his mention of martial arts in a day and age where such things were grossly looked down upon.

Yukin only turned to Astaroth to allow the demon to answer the boy's question. He was right about her, at the very least.

@Chewy Rabbits
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