thenearshore | 009 | Where Your Demons Hide

009 | Where Your Demons Hide

Who: Everyone!
What: Emergency demon fighting
When: Late May 5-Early May 6
Where: Just outside of Tokyo
Summary: The demon from the school has reared its ugly head again and needs to be taken down.

On the evening of May 5, the Heavens suddenly receive an influx of prayers from people in and around a certain town just outside of Tokyo. There seem to be a lot of people in the area that have suddenly stopped responding normally (or at all). The situation continues to spread as the night goes on until not only is the whole town suffering from this malady, but the neighboring towns are starting to become affected as well.

With so many gods and shinki on hand - including new ones that have just appeared - the Heavens have issued a request for any available gods and shinki to go investigate what might be happening down on the Near Shore. New gods and shinki will be given the low-down on what's happening, but not much more than that.

The situation will continue to expand until just a little before dawn, when the demon finally has enough power to revive.

Drained Humans

Many humans in the affected areas are walking around despondently. Oftentimes, they are just walking into things or getting hit by things. There have been a few car-related incidents as well. Anyone who was present for the high school incident will recognize these symptoms as something that was happening to people in the school. The glazed looks, the spiritless responses and reactions. So this should be fairly familiar to some.

No One's Safe

Unfortunately, being in the town will start to wear on anyone who is there. Gods and shinki alike will find themselves growing more despondent the longer they spend in the town. All of their energy will be slowly sapped from their bodies, and shinki in particular will feel almost like their existence is draining away.

Hellish Circle

There is a large park in the center of the town. Drawn all around this park is a magic circle, large enough to encompass the whole park. There are candles around the edges of the circle, and in the center there is a cup filled with blood covered by a mask with a swirling eye pattern on it. Stepping into this circle will not only make you extremely tired and suddenly drained, but it will also bring bat-like ayakashi bearing down on you.

The Demon

The Demon itself rears its ugly head just a little before dawn, springing out from the center of the magic circle and looking right pleased with itself. It stands about 5'8" tall, so it is largely unimposing, but there is an aura about it that makes it undeniable that it is powerful. The demon will gladly fight anyone who comes at it, though most he will just shove out of the way without a second thought.

In Summary:

Help the drained people
Try not to get drained yourself
Be careful about being corrupted
Fight the demon
Have fun~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ His question makes her pause. Perhaps he's not just asking out of courtesy, but as a request as her god. In which case, she should try to think of something.

But thinking of that sort of something-- any indication for a kind of name she would choose-- begins to draw out a feeling of discomfort from within her. Her jaw tightens as she presses her lips together, and she holds one arm with the other, looking away uncertainly. She shouldn't press herself, but she does if only because it's by his request. Yamato closes her eyes, breathing in deeply to stabilize herself.

She doesn't see anything, and she only feels a darkness that's pressing against her prying, strong and sharp. Yamato suddenly gasps, opening her eyes quickly, focusing in on Yamanami once again. When did her arm stretch out to find that wall to hold her up? She takes another few deep breaths, shutting her eyes tightly and fighting against a bought of nausea.

But she has an answer for him at last. At least partly. ] ....Waves. I... I heard the ocean.

[ Her tone, normally so coherent, betrays her shaking. After a few more moments she straightens up, releasing the wall and letting her arms down by her sides. One of her hands hooks into the nook of one of the anchors at her hips. Oddly enough, feeling the steel draws some comfort for her. ] That is... all I know. My apologies. Is that enough?

[He had been about to speak up when he noticed her discomfort, when she begun to sag against the wall.] Yamato-san, it's alright. There's no nee-

[But then whatever it was that's pressing on her culminated in that sudden swallow of air, the shaking. He feels a sudden bout of panic, of guilt that he'd push her almost to the brink, and his dismay at what his question had nearly wrought shows in every line and crease on his face.] No, no, it is I who should apologize. [If she doesn't mind, he's going to guide her to a nearby chair so that she can sit and compose herself.] I'm sorry, Yamato-san. I should not have asked.

[ When she's lead to a seat, she takes it gratefully and breathes in deeply. She doesn't entirely know what just happened, but the sense of dread right before it happened hasn't escaped her. That dread about delving too deep into memories. ] No, no, it is fine. It is a reasonable question, is it not?

[ Another breath, and she looks up at him, giving him a small smile. ] I wish I could be more useful to you, my lord... But it seems you will have to think of a name yourself. [ He may have felt her distress, but he'looked also feel that she is calming down, even if she feels a bit inadequate to meet his needs and answer his question. ]

Edited 2016-11-14 21:28 (UTC)

[He didn't know the perversion against memories ran that strong within shinki. He must be more careful from now on.] Not if it made you feel this ill! I am truly, truly sorry.

[He looks around frantically. She could use some water, he thinks. If not a well, then surely there must be a source of water somewhere--

--and thankfully, there's a water dispenser nearby with some small disposable paper cups stacked up next to it. Even better, there are instructions for children, and Yamanami is grateful for it because then he knows to put a cup underneath the nozzle and pull the tab. He'll marvel at this strange water container later; right now his focus is on Yamato!

He hurries himself back to her side, holding out the water to her.] Please drink and rest for a moment.

[ She takes the cup of water graciously, tipping the rim to her lips and sipping the cool liquid. ] Th-- thank you, but... truly, I am fine now.

[ She insists, looking at him. By all accounts, she does look better than moments ago, now that her mind is not on memories. Whatever happened passed as quickly as it had come. ] It is my fault for worrying you so, when there is something more important with which to be concerned-- [ But Yamato is also someone who focuses on the task at hand. They still do have a duty to perform. She won't let him worry about her a second longer than necessary, and to prove that she is alright, she stands up, stretching one arm. ]

I speak of the malaise that effects the rest of the people here, and we will not find out more while resting, yes? [ How can she become tired and sick when so many others need her god's help? The blame game will be strong with these two. Nevertheless, she smiles at him. The way he became so concerned and worried for her is actually... touching. ] I am ready to proceed whenever my lord deigns.

[He doesn't look so convinced. Indeed, he's about to argue again when suddenly there's the screeching sound of burnt rubber against the road, followed by a loud crash. Yamanami looks up sharply at the exit, and then back to Yamato.

There's not much time to waste, is there? So he closes his mouth and nods at her.] Alright. Let's go.

[Outside they'll find the source of the crash. A car that went out of control and collided with the road barrier. Someone's slumped against the driver's window, a smear of red from a cut on his or her head.]

Over there. We've got to get that person out of there and see to their wound.

Right away, sir!

[ She follows him outside, looking over the scene of the crash. Thankfully it doesn't seem too bad of an accident, but she won't take any chances. Yamato jogs over to the vehicle, reaching out to the door. The driver inside seems to come to; even if he's lethargic from the effects of the spell, a crash does knock him back to his senses. Panic appears across his expression, feeding negative energy into the air. ] ...It seems like it is jammed from the impact.

[ She glances back at Yamanami for a moment before she warns. ] Stand back, my lord. [ And without further warning, she simply tears the door off of its hinges

Yep, this is perfectly normal for a human woman. And that human man is now screaming because HOLY HELL A MONSTER LADY IS CLEARLY HERE TO EAT HIM OR SOMETHING!!! ]

[And not only is that man's negativity feeding into the spell...it's also alerted a few stray ayakashi to their presence. As Yamanami tries to calm the man down (poor guy stares at him like he's grown an extra head...or maybe he's staring at him because Yamanami looks like he's just stepped out of a jidaigeki drama), a high pitched scream from behind them announces an attacking ayakashi, swooping down with its claws outstretched to puncture and scratch and blight.]

[ To puncture and scratch and blight? ] My lord--!

[ Not on her watch.

Yamato rushes over, brandishing the ripped car door like a shield against the oncoming ayakashi. Its claws are sharper than human-made metal, however, and tear through the makeshift tool. If it were just a few centimeters to the left, a talon would have punctured her arm. Yamato frowns, pushing back as the ayakashi raises another one of its arms to bang down upon the shield. So forceful is the hit that her heels dig into the concrete, breaking it.

But she doesn't give in, and the aykashi's scream only encourages her to fight harder. With a shout, she throws both the shield and the ayakashi to smash into the nearby building, cracking windows and brick. Anything else would have been splattered into fleshy goop with a force like that. She spares Yamanami a glance, her stance defensive as the ayakashi peels itself from the wall, healing itself. ] --Are you alright? You should head back into the library!

[The gods know what their rescuee is seeing right now, but him fainting is a slight blessing in disguise; it definitely makes it easier for Yamanami to slip his arm under the man's shoulder and hoist him up. A few precious seconds had been wasted when he'd gaped at Yamato's show of strength as she took on the creature on her own, and he can't afford to waste anymore. His heart is hammering against his chest as he takes the first few steps to get the man to safety. The loud cracking sound when the pathway breaks doesn't stop him from moving, but he does look back...and lets out a breath of relief when he sees her send the ayakashi flying. She's got this.]

We're fine. He's fainted but his wound doesn't look too grave. I'll be back as soon as I get him in.

[She's got this. He reminds himself of this fact. She's no damsel in distress. Yet there's still a flash of worry in his eyes, even as he smiles at her. It's meant to reassure her that they're all going to be OK...but right now, it feels more like he's smiling just for the sake of having some kind of expression on his face that won't worry her. A smile to hide this rising nausea within him, that with every step he takes away from her, she's left to deal with the ayakashi on her own.]

Be safe, Yamato-san.

[And off he goes, just as the ayakashi circles the air, gathering momentum with its wings to launch another attack at Yamato!]

[ If only Yamato had a way to shoot the beast as it flies. Alas, she does not know she has such equipment she can summon, much less how to actually call for it to appear. All she has now is an ayakashi swooping down at her ferociously.

She dodges at the last second, which makes the ayakashi smash its head into the ground. Then turning around, she reaches for one of the beasts tails and grips it hard in her hand. Her intention is to whip it to another wall, but unfortunately for her, a painful stinging sensation now covers her hands. She immediately lets go, noticing the purple-blue discoloration and blisters on her fingers, as if someone had poured a chemical on them.

The ayakashi uses her surprise to whip its tails at her, but given how heaven she is, it doesn't send her back flying. Instead it strikes her arm again. The barbed end doesn't leave a gash on her skin, whereas if anyone else would have been struck it certainly could make someone bleed, but more blight appears.

Without a weapon or another make shift shield, Yamato only sees one choice: to take the beast head on. Shouting, she rushes again at the ayakashi as it swipes at her. Ignoring the blight on her hands, she reaches again for its tails and does what she intended to do all along: whip the beast up and down, smacking and lashing it to the ground with each strike.

But it's still not enough to kill the thing, and Yamato remembers what Yamanami has told her before. That they must work together to destroy it. It's the only way. ]

[Yamanami unceremoniously dumps the man in the library before rushing back out, just in time to see Yamato seemingly struck by the ayakashi's tail. He expects a flash of red, but there's none, and in this darkness it's hard for him to catch the purple discoloration that's spreading across her skin. Instead, he sees Yamato impressively beating down this ayakashi, slamming it on the ground over and over again.

But although the ayakashi seems stunned, it doesn't seem any closer to death. One ear-piercing screech with a different, higher intensity than before has him wincing, covering his ears with his hands. It might be shrill enough to get Yamato to release the ayakashi. However, that wasn't its only intent.

Yamanami's breath hitches when another screech answers the first, and then another and another. When he looks back, his eyes widen and he immediately begins to scramble towards his shinki. There's not one, not two, not even three, but a small pack of similar ayakashi bats fluttering their way!]

Yamato-san! [There's not much time for a warning, and the only sign she'll get that he's about to do something extraordinary is the glow that's emerging on his fingertips as he points at her and begins to write.]

You, who have nowhere to go and cannot pass on, I'll give you a place to stay. My name is Guan Yu. Lingering here gripping thine true name, I make thou mine servant with thine alias, thy name is follower, thy vessel is sound.

[By now, enough of the character would've appeared for her to be able to guess what he's chosen for her. The word had jumped out at him when he'd seen her pummel that ayakashi to the ground, and although it may seem strange to name such a dainty, elegant lady as such, he's really just grasping for the first thing that comes to mind.]

Obey mine order and become my shinki. Kanki!

[ The screech does stun her, and she has to drop the ayakashi to shield her sensitive ears. It's because of that that she doesn't notice what he's doing until he's late in his incantation. But once she does, she knows she's being called to attention. Yamato is not sure how exactly this will work, but she guesses that she ought to be somewhere near her master; if not for her to grasp her weapon form, then to at least protect him from the approaching ayakashi. Little does she know, a solid defense and offense is something she'll be able to supply a thousand fold.

Yamanami won't be grasping a hold of her. Instead, he'll soon find himself whisked thirteen stories high as a light engulfs her, dissolves her body, and then beams and expands into something much, much larger. The light expands in all areas, but first he'll find that his feet will have planted onto a solid ground. No, not ground-- polished wood that rises as her transformation continues. The light and spirit energy around him begins to take a more solid shape, and he'll find himself surrounded by steel, iron, bolts, ropes, flags and all the industries relevant to her. The scent of oil emerges as each of her twelve boilers begins on their own, the rumble of her engines transmitting from the bottom of her drought to the top of her citadel, towering sixteen stories. The faint waft of the salty sea follows a gentle breeze that tickles the imperial flag at her stern, waving the red sun in the sky.

She's transformed into a behemoth, a titan of warships, a fortress of steel enough to coat each foot of Japan and wrap it all up with a bow. She's the heaviest battleship built to date, the pinnacle of warships, the legendary Yamato.

Oh, and thankfully she's hovering. Because otherwise she would have surely crushed both sides of the street and three football fields worth of land.

With her transformation, he'll receive her memories... as well as her death. Two of her deaths, for as a ship maiden, Yamato not only lived as this dreadnought once before, but she perished during a sortie when reincarnated as a person. The first death, the sinking at Operation Tenichi-Go, is aptly named. During Heaven One, the last desperate mission of the Imperial Japanese Navy, he'll see her serving as the flagship, escorted by a few destroyers and cruisers which look like tugboats compared to her. He'll see that the night before the officers had taken out the sake and extra rations to give to the shipmen, the laughter and hopes of the young men as the admiral looked on grimly. He will feel her determination despite the precedent set by her new orders, to be given only enough fuel for a one-way trip. It's a suicidal mission, but one which she must carry out no matter what. The grimness is overpowered as her pride and honor comes forth, to see this war to the end. To give a fight her all.

Then he'll see the battle begin the next morning, the first airplanes peaking out from the low clouds, and the first alarms being sounded. Then he'll see more planes, ten more, fifty more, a hundred more, three hundred more emerge and begin the battle. One bomb strikes. Then the next, then a torpedo. Flood gates are shut on the decks below before the men even have a chance to climb. Then two more torpedoes, and she begins to list to port. Then more bombs, one after another. Five, seven, thirteen, and then some. Another torpedo, two more, five more torpedoes. The water climbs and the attack continues. There are shouts of panic, of desperation, as some stay with the ship while others abandon it.

One of her main turrets reaches a critical temperature, but the water that would normally be used to flood it to cool it down has been rendered useless by the flooding of the deck below. It explodes, sending wood and iron everywhere, creating a mushroom cloud that can be seen over the horizon. And as she sinks, her suction draws in some of those swimming down with her. Feelings of uselessness, weakness, humiliation, despair, pain, and turmoil are dragged down to the depths of the ocean with her. He'll feel that not only did she die that day, but over three thousand crewmen did as well. Crewmen that now stand as wispy phantoms on her deck, blinking in and out of existence, busying themselves with the operation, the same men that have contributed to part of her soul as a ship maiden. A few of them look on to him, their faces grimly blurred from the passage of time, awaiting orders to pass onto their subordinates.

And her second set of memories, of her life and death comes next. Her "birth" as a ship maiden to fight against the Abyssals, new frightening monsters of the sea. He'll feel her loneliness like he did before during her life as a ship, but then he'll feel her contentedness as her receives her new set of memories. Of making friends, of going on her first mission, of her resolve renewed to protect this new fleet of souls as she continues to honor the ones of her crew that perished with her before.

Her second death swiftly follows these memories. But unlike the first, it is a death to the Abyssals that is bittersweet. As her body sinks, as he's gifted the view of watching the surface of the water grow further and further from a dimming vision, he'll feel that she's content. That at least this time she was able to prove more of her worth. Yet there is much remorse for not being stronger and more capable, for having the honor of the title of flagship yet not being able to defend her comrades.

As for Yamato herself, she feels.... strange, to say the least. She doesn't quiet know where she is, in this strange mind-space, but she cannot deny the feeling of belonging and safety, each nook and cranny, each beam and bolt and flag familiar to her. She feels strong. Powerful. Indestructible in this form, as if this form is her right form, that she can take on anything that's sent her way. And that she can defend her new captain.

And so with that same strength in her voice, she announces: ] Battleship Yamato... Ready for battle!

[ The words are familiar on her tongue, as if she's said them many times before. The wait for further instructions is familiar as well, as she listens for his orders to blast those ayakashi away. He has a number of cannons to choose from, from the typical anti-aircraft weapons to the machine guns that are mounted on top of other turrets, to the main, 18.1-in caliber cannons themselves.

But he'll feel it, a thrill of sorts to be this way and the itch to use her main artillery even if it would be, quite frankly, overkill. She wants to impress him, to show him that she's capable of both defending him and vanquishing anything he deems an enemy. As in both of her lives, in this new third one as well, she wants to be useful. ]

Edited 2016-11-18 04:56 (UTC)

[The wait for further instructions will go on for a bit longer, unfortunately.

It's not just a stunned silence at having discovered his shinki's vessel form: a metal-clad ship that towers 16 stories high, is as wide as any field he's ever been in with a phantom crew manning her to boot.

Instead she might feel his feet stumble forward, his hands gripping the railing hard enough that his knuckles have started popping, blanching a stark white. His whole body is trembling, his teeth grit together as if it could help keep him together. But his eyes are wide open, staring down the Yamato's hull...and seeing nothing but dark, murky waters below as she sinks, surrounded by what remains of her loyal crewmen.

He retches. He heaves. And then promptly vomits over her railing. Sorry Yamato.]

Edited 2016-11-18 16:56 (UTC)

My-- my lord?! [ She doesn't know how she's "speaking" to him, but she doesn't bother thinking about it. Unbeknownst to her, this isn't the first time she's had someone throw up on her deck; ironically, even sailors become seasick from time to time. Although this time she's not even at sea! ] What--... Are you alright?

[ She can't exactly physically go to him, and her phantom crew are too ethereal to lend a helping hand but her engines seem to rumble is mild distress of what to do. Meanwhile the ayakashi are beginning to attack, swooping don and hitting her hull......... Which does absolutely nothing to her armor. They're like flies buzzing around a knight's metal suit.

Since it appears that Yamanami is unable to respond to the development, the next in command must act swiftly. This is not a drill, and she knows that she must not waste time with the enemy present. Yamato quickly issues her next orders. ] Fetch him a bucket!

[ A phantom does so. Better to vomit into that, lest his bile pour onto someone unsuspecting on the streets below. ] And escort him up to the commander's post.

[ If he's sea sick, staying above deck would help. ] Yamanami-sama, please keep your eyes on the horizon if you are feeling nauseated. Bow-facing Type 96 battery-- open fire on the ayakashi!

[ Specifically designed to target enemies in the air, they should provide enough coverage while Yamanami is escorted to both a more stable and safer place. ]

Edited (Updating so much gomen ) 2016-11-19 02:47 (UTC)

[The bucket is welcomed, and he holds onto it hard as he rides out the nausea. It's not just being on the ship that's roiled his insides. He doesn't think he'll forget the screams of men being baked alive, flesh torn apart by the explosives dropping from the skies. He won't forget how Yamato died, both times.

Eventually he's aware that he's being gently guided away from the fight. He looks up to thank the kind person, but instead it's a blurred out face in a sailor outfit, and that only causes him to wretch into the bucket again. It's a relief when he's up on the commander's post and left on his own, because now that he's not surrounded by the ghosts of Yamato's violent deaths, he's got the time to gather himself together.]

Ya...Yamato-san?

[He inquires weakly, looking around him. If she's supposed to be the ship, then is it as simple as him addressing the empty air around him?]

Edited (SORRY I thought the commander's post was a room.) 2016-11-19 03:00 (UTC)

Yes, my lord. I am here.

[ She can guess he feels the same confusion as she does as to how this all works. But her words-- I am here-- remain true. She's all around him, keeping him safe reinforced steel and bulletproof storm windows. And perhaps more spiritually, she feels a deeper connection to him in this white void that is this soul-space.

Unlike when she was barking orders, her voice has dropped to that same calm, reassuring tone as before, even as the (one-sided) battle continues outside. ]

Do not fear; you are under my protection. [ She has no questions for his orders, no press for the next move. That's not important. What matters is his well-being and safety. ] We will keep you safe!

[He looks around him in wonder. He's not hallucinating; his shinki is indeed a giant, metal ship. If he remains inside, he would no doubt be safe.

But that's not what Yamanami wants. The look of wonder fades, and he smiles, getting to his feet.]

Thank you. But you've got it slightly wrong, Yamato-san.

[He will not stand by and let Yamato fight these monsters on her own. A strange calm settles over him, and he leaves the bucket behind as he heads out to the observation deck with his back straightened and his eyes looking forward. When he reaches the closest railing, his hand wraps around it firmly.]

You are under my protection. Give me your wish, and we'll save this town and it's people.

[ When his hands touch the railing, it's much like the hand he spared upon her shoulder earlier. Only this time, the grip is more sure. Instead of filling her mind with a vision, it inspires her heart with confidence. ]

My wish...

[ The pesky ayakashi seem to have given up for the moment. They fly out and regroup. But unlike the bombers she had faced before, they're rather unintelligent. Every fighter pilot knows that if approaching a ship, it's best to come from the angle to the sun. Now that the ayakashi are zooming back towards her, this puts them right in line of her main cannons. ]

Is for victory-- to protect the souls of this town!

[ She feels as if she knows what is to come next. The foresight gives her strength; she's never felt so empowered! ] Main cannons, one and two, prepare to fire!

[ On the deck, he'll see the engineers and crew prepare the shells as voices transmit from the communication module at his right. Like the ghosts they come from, the messages are garbled and the voices warped. Yamato relays their voices, and a small, confident smile can be heard in her voice. ] Your orders, sir.

[ They'll fire when he commands. ]

[The moment he receives her prayer Yamanami can feel that power stirring in his veins, his skin tingling with energy.

And with that he shows her the way. Where to shoot without harming even a single tile on any roof. Which ayakashi to take down first, from which angle, which cannon, which turret. All the details he doesn't understand, but she would, and she will take this information and do what must be done.

When the vision ends, he lets out a breath.] Let's go, Yamato-san.

[ The vision gives her enough coordinates to calculate exactly what she needs, and not just from her main battery, and not just the ayakashi in front of her. She knows where the one lurks beyond the top of the house a mile away. She sees the one skirting between the trees, the one perched upon a chimney five miles away. All of these are within her range, and then some. With his guidance, she knows all of their positions. By the time her vision ends, her crew has already prepared the rest of guns, each station manned and ready to go. ] All armaments...

[ Within the soul-space, she breathes in deeply, closing her eyes and letting the vision he's shared with her replay in her mind. With this, she knows exactly what to do. Exactly how to win. A signal blares from her citadel, the announcement for the crew to cover their ears for the main cannons. But this time, it's the ringing horn for all of her weapons to engage.

When she opens her eyes, she sees all of her enemies with even more clarity than before. A chill silence precedes the chaos to come. She utters one word: ] Fire!

[ So she shouts, but what results is not just a fire, but a hailstorm of it. ]

[When all the sailors begin to cover their ears, Yamanami immediately does the same and braces himself. If his vision is true, then--

--then the loud boom as her entire artillery range comes alive would shake him right down to the bone marrow. The reverberations expanding outwards from Yamato in a circular wave and Yamanami grits his teeth again, the deafening explosions rattling him to the core.

But he doesn't want to miss seeing Yamato in action. He had felt her desire to be useful, her desire to show him what she's capable off. So he drags his eyes up and watches as hell itself seems to rain down on the ayakashi. His mouth drops open in shock and awe at this awesome, grand display of power, the shells connecting with pinpoint accuracy.

There's that nudge again in his mind, and the words come to him so easily that it seems almost natural for him to know them.]

You who desecrate this Land of the Rising Sun. With my advent, I, Guan Yu, lay waste with Kanki and expel thy vast defilement.

[An ayakashi attempts to swoop in to attack Yamanami, but he's not afraid. He knew this ayakashi was going to be here. And he knows what Yamato will do. So instead of running and hiding, he looks it in the eye and calmly pronounces his judgement upon it.]

Rend.

[ His incantation times perfectly with her shots. Each and every one of the ayakshi that she strikes rends on the spot, bursting into a spiritual white energy. As for the ayakashi that dares enter her immediate airspace to try and attack her lord, it too is suddenly blasted out of the sky with one of her many mounted machine turrets.

The phantoms cheer triumphantly at their victory, although their voices are still incoherent, as if they're speaking with salt water in their lungs. Yet faceless or not, they raise their hands to the sky and cheer, a few bringing out bottles of sake in celebration on the deck.

Can a ship smile? Well, she's smiling, wherever exactly she is, and maybe he'll feel the railing he holds grow warmer with her pride. Such clean shots, such precision.... she could have not done any of that without her god. He truly is incredible. When she speaks next, her voice is both filled with satisfaction from the fight as well as awe for him. ] Yamanami-sama... All targets have been eliminated.

Your new orders, Sir?

Well, there is something on my mind. But it's a request, not an order.

Yamanami-san. [He replies with a warm smile, his hands squeezing the railing back in return.] I'd like you to call me Yamanami-san. No more "my lord", or "Yamanami-sama." Or else I'm going to start calling you Yamato-sama in return.

009 | Where Your Demons Hide

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