Final Chapter -- The Descent
Having won Shirogane from its former master and wielder, Giovanni was temporarily imbued with the purifying strength and blessing of Lugia. Though clearly not all of the blade's powers were unlocked, its ability to strike into those from beyond the veil was at its forefront and would aid the group in their eventual goal.
The destruction of the evil sleeping in the mansion.
A few were left behind with the two girls they managed to save from their fates. The way ahead would be very treacherous and having the girls in the line of fire may be more than they could handle, after the ordeals they'd been through. Yuri made a new sanctuary so that nothing would harm them while everyone else was away. Once the room was sanctified and the groups were made, it was onward to the Library with its hidden door.
The journey below was accented with blood and flesh.
Once light was shone through the trapdoor, now unlocked by Yuri. Spiritual chains kept the way shut, but once she was made to touch them, they receded into nothingness once more. When this happened, she paused, her body taking on a momentary glow. A light entered her eyes and she looked over at Giovanni and rather than the usual wariness he'd experienced almost the entirety of the mansion, there was good and proper recognition.
Yuri smiled, but said nothing, jumping down into the depths, followed by the others.
The floors, the walls, the ceiling was made of flesh. It was like walking inside of a living, breathing things. The rooms seemed to exhale quietly around them, which would easily spook the most tranquil of minds. Like walking into the belly of the beast, they continued to finish this terrifying night.
The group rest a few hours more, gathering their strength and taking stock of what they had for the big fight ahead. They could all sense it. The end of this nightmare was nigh.
They came across another set of spirit chains, which was undone by Yuri once more with just a touch of her hands. The space around them rumbled as she did so, but there was no turning back.
Still, Yuri said, "Ah, I came back here in the end, didn't I? I thought I could hold it down forever..." But the words were not meant for those accompanying her, as if they were meant inwardly. The priestess stood a little taller now, not shrinking.
She was becoming herself again, bit by bit.
With every barrier they discovered, every inch deeper they went, Yuri was returning to herself.
One last door stood before them, adorned with seven large locks and several chains, as if to deter anyone who broke through the protections. Go back, these chains said, do not open this door, the locks pleaded. But in the interest of actually ending things and not just stalling them, opening the door to shut it permanently was the only way.
"We are not alone this time. We can try again, because everyone is here."
It was then that she came out. A spirit, a spectral Cresselia who floated in front of Yuri before flying around all gathered down here, in the depths of this flesh Hell. When she landed in front of Yuri, that form melted away, revealing the other half of Yuri -- the missing part of the priestess' soul. When both reached out, hand clasping hand, a light flashed as they became one once more.
Yuri was whole again. The chains and locks were gone.
The shrine maiden heaved a sigh, taking a moment with her head bowed.
But then she stood up straight, hands going to her hips and turning on her heel to flash everyone a big grin.
"You know, I kind of wish you guys didn't have to come. But I'm glad...I was lucky enough for you guys to come after my stupid behind! I'll give you my thanks later, when I don't want to barf from the gross feelings this place gives me. But...thanks guys. It means more than you could ever know."
And with that, she shoved the final doors open.
There was a solid mass of limbs, flesh, pink ooze in this final chamber from Hell. Dr Fuji was there, petting it, caressing it, cooing gently at his 'beautiful little girl'. Just a bit more and she will get everything she wants. They can go out whenever they want, soon, soon...just a little more.
At the center of this mass was the Amber double from before, missing parts of herself and slowly rising and falling within the mass with her breathing. As if she wasn't so much being assimilated as she was already part of it. Her eyes flew open and though she wore the doll-like sweet face of Dr Fuji's former daughter, her expression was terrible.
"Ah, so she finally opened the door. You wretched girl, I should have gotten rid of you when I had the chance..."
Many voices spoke at once, through the voice boxes of many women - - girls even. Mixed amongst the mature words of older females, were the higher pitched wails of children, too. Also female. If there was any wonder as to where the other victims had gone, or parts of them...they were all around. Above, to the sides, under their feet, within the mass that was now rising with the fake Dr Fuji throwing nearly fanatical praise.
"I won't make that mistake again."
Swallowed up by the growing mass that broke off from its nest on the ground, limbs climb and sticking to each other, forming into one solid being. Eyes sprouting and looking every which way, fingers, arms and legs poking out, reaching, flailing -- angry and repulsive.
Somewhere along the way, Dr Fuji was thrown against the side, his form shifting and melting into the gooey mess that was a Ditto, knocked out by his 'precious Amber'.
"Since you are here, I have no need of this useless creature. Now...come to me and join my perfection!"
FUSED CHI-YU HAS APPEARED. IT'S A KILLER. DO NOT DIE.
