DUNGEON ♛ GRANTEBRYNCGE LIBRARY

[boardmaster]

GRANTEBRYNCGE LIBRARY
20 SEPTEMBER (SYLVANT) 2016

In the morning, the Heroes chosen for the dungeon will receive a message via Carrier to meet at Grantebrycge. Heroes already in Grantebrycge will have a quick trip. For those who are not, however, the recommended method is to use Platform 42 5/8ths and then head to Cochrane's train station. The ticket is sponsored, and will arrive with the orders.

The train will pass through Friedgood before arriving at Grantebrycge. It's a long ride. Sit back, have your breakfast if you haven't eaten already, and hold your breath when riding through Friedgood.

After arriving at Grantebrycge Library, Verdoni can be seen with a number of professors. Nosy students stare at him (and you) from a distance. A few might try to introduce themselves to you before being shooed away by their professors.

Verdoni Despite the ongoing investigation, we haven’t the slightest idea what would cause this anomaly… [ pause ] That was my attempt at humor, mind; save your laughs for later. Someone has been practicing forbidden magic deep within the library. Who, why and since when are unknown, as it is impossible to enter. However, the mana fluctuations match the dungeons, which I’m sure you’re all acquainted with. Investigate the library and find the dungeon core. Failure is an option, but we don’t need to embarrass ourselves, do we? [ snaps his file shut ]

Basic info on the dungeon can be found here. Dungeon mechanics can be found here. All OOC questions about the event may be directed to the thread below.

ONE ♙
It's eerily quiet when you enter the first room, which, given that it's a library, says something.

The first thing you'll encounter is a massive library counter. Atop it are three things: a bell with a sign that reads “Ring to get the librarian's attention”, a sign, and a list. There's no librarian to be seen. If you try ringing the bell you'll discover there's no clapper inside of it and it makes no sound. If you try reading the sign it says, "Please return all books in a timely manner." If you look at the list, it has the names of unreturned books.

You can try to leave, but for some reason no matter how far you go or how many times you turn, you seem to pass by the same three shelves and end up right back where you started. Strange. Was that potted plant always there? How about that couch? All of the bookshelves look alike after a while...

The only way to continue is to return the books to the front counter and scan them with the magical lens there. And it will be a hunt. Behind that potted plant (and how is it growing when it's so dark below?) is a copy of Wretched in the Fog. Over, under the chair, is Friends Behind the Counter. (There's nothing behind the counter. You checked.) In that drawer, halfway shut with traces of blood on the handle, is They're Watching You. And there's more books above bookshelves and wedged in shelves incorrectly, sandwiched between 15 medical records which shouldn't be there.

Once you're done the doors behind you will open up to the rest of the library. And running towards you are...

MONSTER ♟ Mandrake
Weak against Fire	Strong against Earth	Immune to Water
Creatures born of an ALCHEMY EXPERIMENT GONE WRONG. They have precise control over the growth and movement of their roots, which they use to ENSNARE OR HIT TARGETS. Don’t get hit by the POISON EXTRACTS that they launch via their leaves, either. As a last resort, they will shriek loudly, STUNNING any Hero nearby. Killing a Mandrake makes it lose its magical nature, and they cannot be replanted. DROPS: Mandrake Core, Leaves, Roots, Poison Extract, Mana-rich Powder

Once the mandrakes are defeated, the way is clear and you can move to the next area. Ahead of you is a long and dark hallway with several closed doors. They have signs telling you which department the room belongs to, but you can't quite read what they say. Must be the lighting. Or maybe you just forgot how to read. They do seem to be getting more and more nonsensical as the seconds pass.

Why does it feel like you’re being watched?

Attempt to turn the doorknobs, and you and your teammates will hear chilling whispers of “You had everything. I had nothing.” And if that message doesn’t sink in the first time, perhaps the way the words are quite literally being carved into your arm will make it stick.

Unfortunately, there’s no other way to get through. You must keep trying to open doors. Eventually one will open, right? Just how long is this hallway, anyway? You tried twenty doors but you've barely moved away from the entrance. Eventually, you'll discover that one door is unlocked.

TWO ♙
It's a study room, complete with two couches, a rug, and bookshelves. And more bookshelves. Lots of bookshelves. Did we mention bookshelves yet? You can't see an end to them. You may attempt to leave, but outside is the same corridor as before, unchanged and with all of the doors locked. If there's a way forward it must be inside the study room.

Searching the couch will reveal a note written in Prehnite green talking about adding to the underground tunnels and a code to unlock the doorway. If you search the bookshelves you'll discover that there's one particular book which seems to attract your attention. Do you dare pull it? Of course you do. One sharp tug later, you unwittingly summon:

MONSTER ♟ Rideword
Weak against Water	Strong against Wind	Immune to Status Effects
MAGICAL FLYING BOOKS that cast spells, the nature of which is BASED ON THE BOOK’S GENRE, at their targets. Horror books will cast waves of darkness, religious texts deal Holy damage, and romance novels will either engulf their enemy in flames or charm teammates into fighting each other. These are just a few examples, but there are many more genres of literature, and these little books are creative with their spells. DROPS: Enchanted Book Pages, Glowing Bookmark, Saucy Pin-ups, Bags of Potato Chips

Once all of the ridewords are defeated, one of them will drop a key. Back to the hallway.

THREE ♙
The hallway suddenly doesn't seem so long this time. Unlock the door at the end and you'll see a long and winding, spiral staircase, surrounded by bookcases, leading below. Keep an eye out, as ridewords will pop out from the shadows or from the bookcases themselves. They'll drop from the upper levels, launch themselves from behind darkened shelves, and so on. You can fight, but there's too many to fight off indefinitely. You can only run.

To make matters worse, the ridewords seem to have some friends. Massive and ornate paintings decorate the walls around you. Initially benign, as paintings tend to be, they now literally fill the hallways with new life. The subjects jump at you from the walls, hostile. Between them and the increasing numbers of ridewords, it would do you good to figure out an escape quickly!

Calm down for long enough to examine the paintings further, and you'll notice that the clues are in the colors...

MONSTER ♟ Surface Painting
Weak against Fire (red), Lightning (yellow), Earth (green), Water (blue)	Strong against None	Immune to None
A magical animated blob of paint that can move between finished works of art or CAUSE PAINTINGS TO FLOAT. It’s the mischievous type, finding fun in jumping from painting to painting, using its camouflage to animate pictures. THE COLOR OF ITS ORIGINAL FORM INDICATES ITS WEAKNESS, which makes things quite confusing! DROPS: Oil Paints, Playing Cards, Sunflowers, Floppy Clocks, Fig Leaves

Keep going, and you’ll eventually reach the next area. It's another library room, with more bookshelves and books. The lighting is as bad as before but luckily, there seems to be a lack of ridewords. Given the number of book corpses on the ground, their fate seems obvious… or if there were ridewords they all were killed given the number of book corpses on the ground.

There are no doors in sight, except for the mess of books on the ground, and there is a sign that reads: “Please return the books to their rightful place when you are done reading and arrange them properly.” The way is unlocked by arranging the books in alphabetical order on the empty bookshelf in the middle of the room. It doesn’t matter if it’s by title or by author, as by coincidence the author’s names start with the same few letters as the title. The poor lighting and blurry font on the books will make the task tedious. Is that an ‘o’ or an ‘e’?

Heroes will have to be creative in coming up with a light source. Those who brought the Prehnite note from the study room will probably have an advantage? It did mention a well-hidden reading lamp behind a certain set of shelves in the corner… Except after you finally locate it, you realize it’s broken. There’s a note that reads: "Sorry man, we broke it. We'll bring down a replacement later.” Either try repairing it yourself or start looking for an alternative which doesn’t involve burning the books you need.

Once the puzzle is solved, the center bookshelves will suddenly move by itself to reveal the final passage leading to the last room in The Detention Hall.

FOUR ♙
In the deepest part of the dungeon is a research room, one that seems to be dedicated to the study of alchemy. There's a strange scent, akin a women's perfume. The walls are covered with photographs of blurred out faces. If you look closely, you'll discover that most of them have been scratched at or appear nicked.

Most likely you will not have the time to investigate, though. A hysterical laugh echoes in the area. If you hesitated too much or entered too quickly, violent matagots pounce you. And while you fend off the matagots, a beautiful woman enters, looking young enough to be a recent graduate. If it weren’t for the ancient cruelty in her eyes, she might have fooled you into mistaking her true age. She refuses to give her name, though if you ask nicely enough she'll introduce herself as the Mistress.

The moment anyone in your party says anything about Pigeonsblood or asks what she’s doing here, she'll start her agitated rant. She'll talk about how things have taken a turn for the worse, how talents are wasted, and how they're driving the school into ruin, how misguided everyone is. The Mistress says she'll turn the tides of the academy and she'll make everything right again. Starting with your defeat.

BOSS ♟ Mad Matagot Mistress
Weak against None	Strong against Lightning, Status Effects	Immune to Dark
“If I knew what would happen, then it would not be called research, now would it? Oh-- but oh, my. It appears I've drawn in some special little guinea pigs. I'm all full up on living subjects, but that's an easy fix, isn't it? Let us begin.” With a sharp clap of her hands the Mistress summons her familiars, her FAITHFUL MATAGOTS. Seemingly harmless, they will nevertheless CLAW AND SCRATCH at any Hero while she casts off quick but DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTAL SPELLS. Heroes who ATTEMPT TO CAST A SPELL themselves may find a matagot attacking their head! Unlucky Heroes will discover them attempting to claw out their eyeball, or trying to scratch out their tongue. “Hehe, what’s wrong? We’re just getting started! Show me more, show me why they noticed you, what makes you so special…” They CAN BE PACIFIED. Food and toys work wonderfully, and Heroes who dare to pet them will be rewarded. Singing a sweet lullaby for them will put them to sleep. A Bishop Tamer’s ability can win them over temporarily to the party’s side, though a Queen’s charm magic is ineffective. The matagots will not betray their Mistress, but they can be convinced to STOP ATTACKING. The Mistress will use her charm to regain influence over her matagots if they’ve taken too long to attack. ”Oh no no no, you didn't think that would work, did you? You should know better. My babies are incredibly loyal, you see.” Distracted Heroes, watch out! The matagots will start attempting to steal your blood, a scrap of your clothing, or some of your hair. If the Mistress gets these items, she will use her ability to create VOODOO DOLLS that will render you immobile, making you easy targets for her spells and for her pets. And if you are male, she will give you a PRIVATE LESSON, where she enticingly steals mana to fuel her next attack. The only thing that can free a Hero will be destroying the doll. “I was the special one, once. I was the one who... well, it doesn't matter, does it? They passed me over. But mark my words, darling, Pigeonsblood was mine. Not his, mine!” She will also use “Private Lesson” to SEDUCE MALE HEROES and turn them into her willing human shields. In order to snap them back to their senses, you must overwhelm her charm magic. For example, KISSING an affected Hero will instantly free them from her control. The more intimate, the better. ”I've worked so, so hard! I did so much for the academy! And how do they repay me?! How?!” The Mistress is now angered and will begin displaying her remarkable grasp on COMPLEX ELEMENTAL MAGIC. She will combine multiple elements to blast her enemies. Her favorites are water with lightning for painful shocks, or fire and wind in high speed flame curtains that sear the very air. The ALCHEMY BOTTLES in her dress will turn her attacks into an overwhelming force. For instance, she will use poison with her water magic to create acid rain in the room. Break or steal the bottles before she has a chance to use them. ”I just wanted to make the school a better place. I really, truly did.” With tears streaming down her cheeks, she falls, and the DUNGEON CORE appears in her hand. Her beloved matagots, the only ones the Mistress could count on, will drag her body into the shadows. The core is left for your party to take. DROPS: Catnip, Fish Heads, Toy Mice, Dead Mice, Alchemist’s Dress, Assorted Alchemy Potions, Life-like Dolls, Pins and Needles, Lesson Planner, Alchemy Recipe Book

The Detention Hall’s beginning to fade away like ink on old paper while a school bell echoes. Looks like school’s out.

FIVE ♙
The moment you return, the people of Grantebrycge will cheer, and pop lights or throw confetti… but not too many. They know that you're tired.

… Though some Prehnite students might try to slip you their dorm room number and ask if they can talk to you about the dungeon later.

Heroes who have enrolled in Pigeonsblood will have access to their dorm rooms, where a hot meal is already waiting for them if they're hungry. Heroes who have not enrolled will have a temporary room assigned to them. A hot meal will be belatedly brought to them; however their portions seem to be more rushed, considering the quality...



In the morning of the following day, Heroes will receive news that the Royal Family of Cochrane, House Amethyst, will be sponsoring an extravagant field trip for Heroes with regards to their job well done and continued service for Gammon. Details on this will be released in a few days.

Comments

team strawberry shortcake (setsuna, sakura, naruto)

[acknowledges]

[smol, sweet, and going straight to your thighs 8D

this is what happens when you let marzi write the tagline]

LIBRARY COUNTER

[passtave]

[ It took them a little while, but the three of them finally figured out that they had to start looking for the unreturned books on the list and scan them back in. Finding all the books took a little more time, during which Sakura found herself crawling under table and climbing on top of bookshelves, but they eventually whittled the list down to only a few left.

Now she's kneeling down on the floor in between two bookshelves, her arm wedged all the way up to her shoulder, her cheek pressed against the edge of the wood, in the tight space between them as she reaches for another book. It's all the way in the back, but... if she really stretches her arm out...

Once she finally grabs the book, she tries to draw it back out again, only to find that she really is... wedged in there. Like, really stuck. She puts her free hand against the bookshelf and tries to push herself out, but she doesn't have much leverage in her current position. Really, really stuck. After struggling for a few moments, she finally gives in and calls for her teammates. ]

U-Um... N-Naruto? Setsuna? [ This is... embarrassing. What kind of clumsy person gets themselves trapped between bookshelves? In an even smaller voice, she adds: ] Can you h-help me?

[acknowledges]

[There was a part of him that really doubted they were going to be in an actual library. It kept right on doubting through the train ride and the message and right up to the front door- but nope. Those are definitely a bunch of bookshelves, and they're definitely supposed to be... collecting books and putting them back.

He's not actually sure how long they went in circles trying to figure out what to do before they realized they had to use that list, but now that they are, he's got one arm full of these dusty, falling apart, older than the earth books- dutifully trying to do his rounds. It's not like Naruto doesn't spend any time reading, because he's definitely got a stack of scrolls in his room back home, and he'd spent all that time reading drafts of Make-Out Tactics.

It's just that... weren't dungeons supposed to be about actual fighting?

Sakura's voice sounds muffled when it reaches him and Naruto heads in the direction of her call, arms still full, looking for the source of the noise.]

Hime-chan?

Where are you?

[quaria]

[ As expected, this entire place has bad lighting. But thankfully due to his Rank's sharp senses, Setsuna can see well enough in the dark. It takes a bit of concentration and adjustment, but he can make out details better than most. He carefully walks around in search for more of the listed books to return, a drawn sword in the other hand for safety precautions.

Despite how quiet and empty this first area is, they can never really tell what will appear sooner or later. They were warned earlier about something dreadful within, and this is a dungeon after all, so Setsuna is prepared for any scenario. Not once did he lower his guard, he raises immediate concern when a distressed Sakura calls for Naruto and him.

Without hesitation, Setsuna heads to the direction of Sakura's voice first, tracing her location that way. It only took a couple of bookcases to walk past, and he stops by the aisle where she's helplessly stuck. Before approaching the princess, he looks over to Naruto and gestures his head in silence. It's his way of saying, "Over here." That said, he walks ahead, and leans down to check on her condition once he's by her side. ]

Are you all right?

[passtave]

[ Why did Setsuna have to find her first? Not that it would've been better if it was Naruto, she supposes... she doesn't really want either of them to see her this way. How come she can never be cool and competent in dungeons? ]

U-Um... y-yes.

[ She glances towards Setsuna and then immediately looks away again, flushing with embarrassment. Then she tries to wiggle free a little bit more to no avail, but it appears that she's well and truly stuck. ]

I-I have the book but, um... I-I can't get out. [ Let her die. They haven't even entered the dungeon. ]

[acknowledges]

[They work well together in the sense that Hime-chan and Setsuna seem to be pretty close, and that he talks to Hime-chan a lot, and that Setsuna is easy to get along with. The last dungeon he'd been in had been a lot of friction- constant fighting and attempts to move in different directions all the time. Here, even though they haven't really gotten to the fighting yet, they talk to each other plenty- making plans about what to do and who needs to check what.

He catches Setsuna's head nod and follows comfortably after, only to find Sakura... pretty securely wedged between two bookcases.]

Man- you're really trapped in there huh?

[He doesn't bother looking for a table or chair, settling his books on a pile on the floor instead. It'll let him get closer and take a better look- something he's already doing by standing on tiptoe and peering over her, to the crevice she's caught in.]

We can probably move one of these cases if you'll be able to wiggle out.

[His head cocks to one side.]

Is there any part of your body you can't move? Like you're stuck on a nail or your foot's in somethin'?

[Setsuna's pretty strong, so together they should be able to manage. Right? Naruto looks back over his shoulder for an answer from the guy, both hands resting on the bookcase in question as he eases away.]

[quaria]

[ It's fascinating in a way, because how does something like this happen? Setsuna keeps his thoughts to himself though, not wanting to embarrass Sakura, even if he meant well. He maintains a straight face as Naruto and him continue to inspect the princess's condition.

Listening intently to Naruto's suggestion, Setsuna quietly agrees. Sakura can escape her predicament easier if there's more available space to move around. So... after a nod, he straightens up and places his own hands against the same bookcase. His feet braces on the ground, but he doesn't push yet.

Checking Sakura one more time, he makes sure that she wouldn't twist her arm or anything before he would attempt to do. It wouldn't be good if they moved it and she happens to be in a dangerous position. He'll give her time to align herself the best she could. ]

Signal us when you are ready.

[passtave]

[ She shakes her head in reply to Naruto's question, too ashamed to find her voice. This is terrible. At least they're almost done with this room, so they can move on quickly once she's free. Though... that's enough to give her even more anxiety. What's going to happen once they get inside the dungeon? Her past two experiences haven't been so bad—she was even teamed up with her friends! (And big brother)—but Naruto and Setsuna are so strong that she can only hope she doesn't drag them down.

Like now.

At least... they won't hold this against her. And she doesn't have to worry too much, because they are so strong. As long as she sticks with them, everything will be fine.

Stuck as she is, she can only shift a little bit, but it's enough that she'll be ready to pull her arm out again as soon as they move the bookshelf. And when she's done with that— ]

I-I'm ready.

[acknowledges]

[Mmmmn- it looks like the bookcase it too long for him to get to the other side of it and for he and Setsuna to push from that angle. So maybe the best thing he can do is...]

Ohkay scoot over Hime-chan.

[Oh yeah. His solution sure is to trap himself in between the bookcases right along with her. Naruto keeps his back to one, and eases his way in with his hands held up, palms facing outward near his shoulders. This way he'll be able to physically shield Sakura if something goes awry, but he's also be able to use his gravity magic should all else fail.

But man... it really is a tight fit in here. His voice sounds ground out, from between his teeth.]

Alright Setsuna. Let's do this already'attebayo.

STUDY ROOM

[passtave]

[ After that hallway, Sakura sticks very close to Naruto and Setsuna when they finally enter the only room with a door that's opened for them. It's some sort of study or lounge room, she thinks, considering the two couches. They look pretty comfortable, actually. They might even be a good place for a nap, if she wasn't so anxious about this dungeon.

Looking past the couches reveals rows upon rows of bookshelves, enough that she can't see wherever they end. If they do end? For whatever reason, that makes her nervous too. ]

W-We must have to go through here, right?

[ She hasn't budged from their sides at all. If anybody is going to start exploring this room, it won't be her. ]

[acknowledges]

Ano... [It's strange, but even with all these furnishings to make the place look comfortable, it feels cold in this place. Hime-chan stays firmly between he and Setsuna and as a result, the three of them move as one. It's so familiar a sensation that Naruto is actually beginning to relax and is able to smile, despite their surroundings. It reminds him of some of the happiest times he'd ever had.

Their footsteps seem to echo any time they aren't on the rug, reminding them of how huge and ancient this place is. Naruto looks ahead, and then looks back the way they came.]

I guess we should start looking around.

[quaria]

There does not seem to be any visible doors.

[ Does that mean there's a hidden passageway here? Or maybe they'll find a key for the inaccessible doors at that unsettling hallway just now... Even someone like Setsuna would rather not go back there, but if it's what's necessary to proceed, then he'll go through it without hesitation or complaint. Anyway, since they're forced into this room, there has to be something worth looking through.

Setsuna is the first to separate from the two, deciding to leave inspecting the couch to either the princess or the ninja. He voluntarily heads to the furthest areas of the room, allowing the two to inspect the areas closer to the door. Although left unsaid, it's definitely his way of looking out for them. So he keeps himself busy in those dark corners, trying to scope anything that might give them a clue. ]

[passtave]

[ Setsuna heads for the bookshelves while Sakura stays behind with Naruto. The couches, desks, and chairs closer to the door have caught her attention, and so she heads for the couches first, making sure she doesn't stray too far from Naruto. If there's a clue somewhere, then it should be tucked away somewhere around here, right? Maybe? Hopefully? She just doesn't want to have to wander through those bookshelves all day...

It doesn't take long for her to find a scrap of paper wedged between the cushions—she pulls it out cautiously, as if it might comes to life and bite her too. ]

Um... I-I found a note. [ There's a pause while she reads it, her brow furrowing. ] I-It says something about adding to the tunnels... and there's a code!

[acknowledges]

[With Setsuna going on ahead and Sakura lingering to check out the furniture, Naruto doubles back the way they came- resolving himself to a creepy expanse of hallway to make sure they haven't missed anything. In their own ways, he thinks, everyone is trying to look out for everyone else. Setsuna seems like the kind of guy to go it alone- to take on the hardest things himself if it'll spare the people around him. And Hime-chan wants to be useful, so she's trying to make the most sensible decision.

It bolsters him when he opens the door and meanders down the hall. He doesn't find anything, but that's also because he isn't looking for very long before he hears Sakura's voice and Naruto comes jogging right on back.]

A code? [He creeps in closer, trying to take a look at what's scribbled on the sheet without actually taking it for himself.]

But there's nothing in here but books!

[Lightbulb moment.

Naruto doesn't have much practical experience with codes- he's much better with things he can learn through his body, skills he can repeat over and over again until he's mastered them instead of abstract or intellectual pursuits. But just before Pein had attacked the village, they'd gotten a code about him from Jiraiya- one that had been linked to-

One fist connects with the empty palm of his hand.]

Maybe the books are the code!

[quaria]

[ Books again... Though considering they're at a library, it makes sense that most of the puzzles are related to books. If that's the case, they should start keeping an eye for them one more time. A mention of tunnels... Does that mean there's a passageway, after all?

Maybe if they pulled one of these books, a relevant switch will activate? Setsuna keeps his thoughts to himself as usual, trying to analyze the situation before he speaks. He wants to be certain with them than trying to make random guesses. As his eyes scan the dusty shelves, he eventually spots a particular eye-catching book...

Setsuna doesn't really know why his attention is suddenly so caught by this. It just does. He stares at it for a couple of seconds... Then eventually, he reaches to take it.


Except the book suddenly bites his hand. What the hell. ]

—Ngh!?

[ NARUTO, SAKURA, DID YOU SEE IT. THE BOOK JUST BIT HIM. ]

[passtave]

D-Do you think?

[ It looks like a straightforward code to her, so she isn't sure how it would tie into the books—but considering this is a library, that only makes sense, right? Is there such thing as a straightforward code anyway? She peers a little closer at the note, worrying her lower lip in thought. ]

I-It says that it opens a do—

[ Setsuna's sudden outcry startles her, mostly because she isn't used to Setsuna being so caught off guard that he actually makes noise. When she glances towards him, she can see that the book... is...? ]

S-Setsuna, are you all right? [ Suddenly, books start flying off the shelves, and at first she's so surprised by floating books that she just sort of stands there in shock. It doesn't occur to her that they would actually be hostile—at least until one that appears to be a cookbook comes zooming towards her and Naruto, spitting fire. Her first instinct is to stop it in its path before it burns either of them to a crisp, and so she quickly casts a freeze effect...

...only for that to not work at all. ]

[acknowledges]

[He must not be seeing things right. That's his first thought, because there's no way a book suddenly has a mind of its own and just flies off a shelf to start attacking people, right? Setsuna must've just caught his hand on a nail or something, from these rickety old book cases. It's gotta be nothing.

Except- it wouldn't really be nothing if something caused Setsuna to react that way, would it? He'd seen this guy fight all on his own, the only thing standing between Naruto and his unconscious civilian- and a host of Noir soldiers. The whole time he'd been entirely focused on what he was doing, even when he was getting attacked he hadn't seemed flustered.

But no. They're definitely- they're definitely getting attacked by- fIRE?]

Hime look out!

[It doesn't occur to him that she's trying to cast a spell because Naruto's first instinct is ever rooted in the physical- he throws his weight into her, pushing them both to the ground and covering her beneath him just in time for them to avoid the transition from original to extra crispy.]

RESEARCH ROOM

[acknowledges]

[It's been awhile since he's been this creeped out. Actually, the last time it was like this was probably when he'd gone on that ride at Dunyaland and ghosts had been popping out everywhere. Without his jacket Naruto's skin pebbles and he keeps his arms folded over his chest as they walk- they've walked so far by now that they have to be nearing the end, and since this place is the eeriest of them all he's sure they must be close. His gaze continues moving- hyper-aware of every noise and shadow. The last time they thought they could let their guard down a little in here they started getting attacked by books. They can't just believe everything they see.

Though...

His gait slows in front of one of the portraits on the wall, and Naruto pauses to squint at the image. Now that he thinks about it, all of them look a little weird, like somethings wrong with them. This one looks like it's got clawmarks right across its face.]

Hey, guys.

[passtave]

[ It hasn't been so long since the last time Sakura has been this creeped out, but still. As a result, she keeps close to Naruto and Setsuna, as she's been wont to do throughout this entire dungeon, while they walk through the research room. She can't help but notice that it smells... weird in here, flowery and sweet but almost sickly so. It feels at odds with the strange machines and instruments scattered around the room, utterly foreign to her. ]

Wh-What is it?

[ Her voice comes out a little shaky as she scurries up behind Naruto, peering around his shoulder at the portrait he's looking at. All of the other pictures she noticed in the room had eerily blurred out faces, but this one is... scratched out. It's giving her the creeps. ]

D-Do you think... s-something did that?

[quaria]

[ Certainly, the scratches are intentional. Looking at it can tell that much, so Setsuna doesn't point it out anymore. It's frightening enough staring at it, so hearing details about it is even more so. The next question would be, who did it, and why?

Malice is undoubtedly involved, but there could a number of reasons for it. They know too little to make an accurate guess. He chooses not to comment altogether. Though, the silence doesn't last long. Soon after, a haunting laugh starts to fill the room, at least answering one of their questions. It's most likely... This presence did it.

Setsuna calmly walks to stand in front of the two, drawing his sword one more time. The metallic click pierces the laughter, eyes that seem dead meeting with the woman who finally reveals herself to them. And against his cold stare, her crazed own is trying to overwhelm it.

"Oh, my. I seem to have such young, adorable guests. Why don't you three come closer?" ]

[passtave]

[ As soon as that laugh fills the air, Sakura squeaks in surprise and nearly jumps out of her skin, frantically clutching at Naruto's arm—the closest thing she can feasibly grab hold of. She lets go a moment later, realizing that Naruto is probably going to need that arm to face whatever it is that's making that noise, and she should probably be doing her part to get ready for an attack too, but... maybe she's a little jumpy.

Her eyes are immediately drawn to the woman that steps towards them. She can't help but notice that this woman is devastatingly beautiful, but there's something cold and pitiless in her eyes that sends a shiver down Sakura's spine.

In spite of the woman's words, however, she doesn't go any closer. Instead, following Setsuna's lead, she readies her bow, her fingers curling tightly around the shaft though she doesn't draw. Her hands are shaking, giving away her fear, and so she tries to draw strength from Naruto and Setsuna instead, the both of them standing tall at her side.

The woman only laughs again, her eyes glittering with a cruel form of amusement. "Shy, are we? My, but you've come to me in such a... state." ]

[acknowledges]

[It doesn't make his blood run cold, to suddenly hear that laugh, but it does bring his head right around- this has to be it. This has to be the person responsible. Setsuna moves forward right away, in the same moment that Sakura reflexively reaches for him. Naruto doesn't throw her off because the truth it, he finds that touch comforting. The reassuring smile he offers down at her when they separate says it all She scared me too.

They aren't able to linger. Everyone needs to figure out where they stand, how they measure up against this lady, especially since she's made her intentions clear. Not for the first time, Naruto wonders what it would be like to win this fight by bringing her out of the dungeon. By hearing her out.

Naruto's fingers flex beneath the fabric of his gloves and he reaches out to Sakura, because she's closest, in the moment before she readies her bow. A fist bump. He's a Rook now, so once the fighting starts he knows where he'll need to be- especially since he's predominately a close range fighter. Still, he's taking the moment for what it is, ignoring their enemy to whisper an-]

I'm glad you're here, Hime-chan. 'Counting on you.

[Before they part, and he paces around the woman at an angle. If Setsuna wants to make the first move, Naruto will follow his lead- but it's in Naruto's nature to draw as much attention to himself as possible. His being up there means that the knight should have every opportunity to land a hit that they can manage.

Still... man it's cold down here...]

Hey hey don't get any perverted ideas'attebayo.

[quaria]

[ That would've been ideal, if everything could be solved without fighting. However, Setsuna of all people is more than aware... A peaceful resolution is unattainable in certain scenarios. This fact saddens him too, even if he doesn't voice it out or much less show it. But he has always been fighting for a reason; he wouldn't be the person he is today if it was that easy. And so he won't hesitate, not now or ever. For the sake those around him, for the future he wishes to secure for everyone... He'll never falter.

Not a single sign of fear or any emotion at all crosses Setsuna's face, remaining as lifeless as his blank eyes begin to pierce the mad woman despite her humiliating taunt. Her lips sarcastically smile this time, obviously displeased with Naruto's comment and Setsuna's gaze: "Don't talk and look at me like that, you filthy little brats. You'll come to regret disrespecting this school's one true Mistress!"

Evidently, the Mistress's own pair of eyes are wandering, torn focusing in-between Naruto and Setsuna... Which of these brats will strike first? Which of them is more dangerous? Perhaps both of them are merely bluffing, attempting to intimidate her? She glances at Sakura as well, to equally assess her. While the small girl doesn't look very threatening, the woman isn't foolish enough to rule her out yet.

It doesn't matter to her, either way. The Mistress shortly claps her hands to claim the first move herself; she summons her matagots, all of which immediately surrounds all three Heroes. The cat-shaped familiars pool at their feet, trying to split their attention at once... And then begins their violent wave of attacks. Multiple sharp claws glint in the darkness, swiping down each of them. ]

[passtave]

[ Even though she's so nervous she could faint—she always is before a battle—Naruto's fistbump and quiet words of encouragement bring a small, brief smile out of her. That's right... she has the both of them with her, and even if it isn't much, she has some power to protect them too. The three of them will make it out of this all right. She only wishes... that they didn't have to fight. Even if this Mistress looks like she isn't about to leave them with a choice...

In fact, Sakura opens her mouth to speak—but then the matagots rush out of the darkness, charging towards them. There are too many of them for her to effectively slow down or debuff with a status effect, but Setsuna and Naruto, on the other hand—

She casts defense and damage boosts for both of them before turning her attention towards the matagots closing in on her—gunning for the King first, as usual. Close-range combat really isn't her specialty, so she has to resort to dodging their attacks and firing off small spells that do more to get them away from her than to actually hurt them.

But the Mistress... ]

[acknowledges]

[What the hell are these things even?!

While it isn't the first mystery substance/animal/creature-of-ether he's had hurtled at him in a dungeon, they haven't exactly been positive experiences. Just like it'd been with the books a few rooms earlier, Naruto's reflex isn't to reach for magic, it's to push off against the ground and start running. Because of that decision, the matagots don't make a beeline for his head, but they do scratch and bite ferociously. One clamps its teeth into the bare bend of his elbow, snapping down hard enough that he winces, but doesn't stop.

If he's going to miss anything about the fighting back home, it's this- feeling like he was part of a team. When he was a kid, Team 7 had spent most of their time struggling to understand who went where, what everyone's limits were- their strengths and weaknesses and in that was the constant need to protect one another. He hasn't found a team that works quite the same way here, but the sentiment exists. He's aware of Setsuna gauging the scene and of Sakura immediately casting magic to buff her teammates. It isn't well oiled familiarity, but they have a sort of instinctive chemistry that he falls into without thinking about it.

Naruto goes sprinting without a cautionary look back, closing in on the Mistress from a wide arc as he tugs the short knives from the holster at his thigh and sends them flying. Looks like his approach is up close and personal. Not really a surprise.]