Arriving with Bels On (Invite Only)

[mugenginga]

(OOC: Uh, you need permission from both me and FF. DeSu knowledge is a must (enough to know what the abbreviation means, for sure) and Persona 3+4 knowledge helps.)

It was well before opening time for the shop owned by Himitsu Motomeru. But anyone that had wandered past the out of the way curio shop would have instantly known something was different that day. Even those without spirit sense would likely pause at the strips of paper with chicken scratch on them. They mysteriously stuck to the glass display and front door, which was noticably lacking an hours sign. Beyond that, they were arranged in various occult patterns, and those who happend to know cuneform would realize the "chicken scratch" were extremely powerful warding spells.

The shop was dark, not that one could really know that for the talismans without sticking their face up against the window. There was minimal movement inside, the only visible residents being a young middle eastern woman and an odd doll. Himitsu had her eyes closed and her hands were clasped. Her pointer fingers stuck straight up and her thumbs straight out. The pose was more than comparable to those taken by some Shinto practioners for chants and meditations. Her pointer fingers were just down and ahead of her nose, and those who could sense spiritual energy would realize she was practically exploding with it... that is, if they could get past the energy the powerful wards were putting off.

Himitsu had made sure the living doll Eriol had his key about forty minutes earlier. She had given him explicit instructions to not use it unless the barrier was broken. Buckets of paint were scattered around the entire shop, the lids off for easy access. There seemed to be a concentration of them in front of a door. Himitsu had told one of her current guests, a Terrian named Palette, to stay in the room unless she called for her. She did not want any fighting to occur unless it had to.

As for Himitsu herself, she had literally been chanting for the past thirty minutes. Before beginning, she had told everyone in the store she was not to be disturbed. The seals would get a significant drop in power if she stopped her chant, and it would be all the opening the powerful demon would need. She'd given no indication as to how long she would have to be like this, but she had said to interruppt her for nothing.

In another back room, a blue haired teenager was carefully adjusting a blanket over a silver haired man. He had already adjusted one over his twin, making sure the older twin wouldn't suffocate in his coma. As for why Kaini knew he was the older twin, their names were indication enough. "ichi" and "ni" were indicators of birth order in names, after all. Kaini pulled up the blanket a bit to make sure his cousin wouldn't suffocate either. He sighed and walked over to Keiichi's bed, which just looked like a lumpy and poorly made bed.

"Keiichi-oniisan," Kaini had taken up to calling the older twin that recently. He hoped he didn't mind, "Himitsu-san refuses to tell me what's going on. She says a demon is going to come after you and Naoya, but she won't tell me why... did you do something to upset a demon? The angels said you've turned your back on God... so why would the demons be upset...?" Kaini would have jumped out of his skin had he gotten any kind of real response. If Keiichi groaned, he simply ignored it, "You might not be doing the right thing with all of this... but I'll make sure it doesn't kill you..." Kaini sighed at the continued silence and stood up. He flipped open his COMP and pressed a few buttons. Kikuri-hime and Culebre appeared.

Kaini had no way of knowing both were demons his brother favored. He'd seen Keiichi with Kikuri-hime once, and he had thought she was a demon. That seemed like forever ago, what with what Himitsu had been putting him through. He walked out of the back room with the demons beside him and glanced at Himitsu, she was still chanting. He looked around, almost missing Eriol.

"...I'm worried," he told the doll. It was the only person he had to talk to right now. Kaini looked pained as he looked at his feet and mumbled, "I don't even know why I'm stuck in all of this..."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Eriol had been standing next to Himitsu the whole time she'd been doing her chant, standing silent sentinel. He knew not to interrupt her, or to break her concentration or anything like that, as well as that she would need to be protected should a demon get in. The doll had a bit of a resigned look on his face. The prophecy that Palette had given had said nothing about him being destroyed. but the prophecy hadn't mentioned an attack today either. He had no idea if it was his fate to die today or not. He supposed it relied on how strong Himitsu's barrier was. If something broke the barrier, Eriol knew he would not win.

When Kaini had appeared, Eriol didn't turn to look at him. "There is no chance. Only hitsuzen. I heard someone say that once... or something like that, anyways." He hit his hand up against his head a couple times, causing a few loose parts to rattle. "I think I need to repair myself again..."

He suddenly looked up. "Ms. Himitsu, we have guests. Its the same people from yesterday."

---------------------

Minato pressed his face up against the glass. "It's dark... but I can definitely see them in there. That lady, the wooden doll... and Kaini."

Souji was looking at the spell tags on practically covering the glass display. "I don't like this. These weren't here the last time we were here."

Minato stood back up and turned to look at Souji. "They weren't here the last time I was here either. So something's definitely going to happen."

[mugenginga]

Atem looked at them for a few moments and shook his head, "I don't reocognize the language. It's not scrawls, there is too much of a pattern to it. But there's something different here beyond the appearance. It's setting my hair on edge..."

Yuugi nodded, rubbing his arms. The place felt downright creepy.

"Hitsuzen...?" Kaini was obviously confused. He looked up as he heard voices and his eyes widened at the people outside. Didn't they think he could protect his brother himself?

Himitsu twitched and stumbled over a word, and the loss of energy in the general area could be felt by anyone with even an iota of spiritual sense. She looked extremely cross and turned towards whatever had interupted her, but she let the anger fade to annoyed exasperation when she saw it was Eriol. She returned to looking cross as she looked up and saw the people outside. She all but stormed to the door and muttered something as she waved her hands before pushing the door open.

"I told you not to come today. Quick, get inside. I don't know how much time we have. If you want to hesitate, then leave now. You're putting Keiichi and Naoya in danger by hanging out here," it was extremely flat and far more serious than Himitsu had ever sounded. It looked like she was going to slam the door on them if they didn't act quickly.

Atem reacted before anyone else did. He didn't like the woman, but he knew the voice of urgency when he heard it. Yuugi hesitated, but it wasn't really apparent. He went in after Atem, hoping the others would come in quickly. Himitsu still seemed ready to slam the door any second.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji and Minato both sensed the urgency in Himitsu's voice, and ran inside as well. This didn't seem good. In fact, it seemed like if they didn't hurry inside right now, they were all going to die.

Once inside, Minato glanced to Kaini before turning around and looking back out the windows. Souji said nothing. He didn't like this. They were sitting ducks here.

"...Please stay quiet. Ms. Himitsu has to concentrate if she's going to keep up the barrier." Eriol held the key closer to himself. It was very visibly the same key that he had used before to fight K1 and Atem, back when Yuugi and Atem had shared a body.

[mugenginga]

Atem saw the key and frowned a bit, but said nothing. The doll was calmer than it had been the last time they had met. He wondered if it had settled the issue with its "creator". Atem glanced at Himitsu who looked out a few moments before closing the door. She muttered something and those with spiritual senses would realize a seal had been restored. She walked behind the counter and glanced at the teens.

"I was not prepared to have this many visitors today. If the barrier falls and it comes to a fight... you and you," she pointed at Atem and Souji, "Use your Persona. There isn't room for bows, monsters, or large swords slinging. And don't ask me how I know about Persona. You," she pointed at Yuugi, "Are free to use your blade or Persona, but make sure there is no one near you if you use the weapon. You'll want to activate your COMP, it will be more useful than you can realize, even on standby. You," she gestured towards Minato, "are free to use your weapon. Do not fire that gun in here for any means. Kaini, you take position up near the door. You have high level demons and might possibly phase the demon. I doubt he'll be expecting you."

Yuugi hesitated. Atem was scowling, he hated being ordered. However, and perhaps interestingly, he set the bow down on the counter and pulled out Temu's card to keep at the ready. Yuugi pulled out the hard card case and pulled out Nefertum's card, putting it in his other pocket for easy access before unsheathing his sword. He knew why Atem was listening to her. It was crowded in here, and the woman seemed almost afraid.

"The only one here who truly has the ability to fight this monster is Keiichi, and he's incapacitated. Which is why we're going to be attacked. If things get bad, fall back to Keiichi's room. He and Naoya are under covers per my order. He's going to be the main target. I hope to heaven the barrier doesn't fall, but I can't guarantee anything. I'm going back to maintaining the barrier. If you value your lives, even if only for today, you will not interuppt me.

Himitsu pulled up her hands in the same position from before and began to chant without even waiting for a response. It was a language none would recognize, and originated before even Atem's time. Kaini walked over to the door, his demons flanking him. Culebre had Evil Wave, he didn't have to take such a frontal position... but somehow it seemed Himitsu knew what she was doing. He still didn't know why a demon was targeting Keiichi so specifically, though. It grated on his nerves to not know that fact.

A rather striking man was about five minutes out from the shop. He already sensed the barrier, and smirked to himself. If the owner of the place he had heard Abel was residing was going to be that obvious, he'd return the favor. Despite still being a ways away, it was likely at least some members of the group felt the surge of dark energy.

Yuugi, in particular, looked startled. He jerked around as if he'd heard something and then down at the Pendant. Was the feeling coming from the Pendant...?

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Eriol, being a doll powered by the kind of magical components that allowed him to pick up on and use magic (and clockwork) probably sensed Belphegor's appearance the most, his body visibly shuddering violently for a moment there. Once he stopped shaking, he lifted the key again.

"Approximately three minutes until Belphegor's arrival," he stated.

Once again, Minato had gone pale when Himitsu mentioned the "gun." How much did she know?
He still put his Evoker away and pulled out his rapier.

Souji dropped his duffel bag and sword case to the ground, and pulled out his tarot card. This was going to be fun.

[mugenginga]

Time is such a relative thing. Three minutes can pass in the blink of an eye, or it can pass as it likely was for the current group. It most certainly was for Atem and Yuugi. Yuugi felt more on edge as the seconds ticked by. There was definently some kind of feeling coming from the Pendant. Atem took a few sidesteps towards Yuugi as the clock reached two minutes.

"Yuugi, is something wrong?"

Yuugi looked up, "I don't know... its almost like... the Pendant's reacting to something. It's really weird," he sounded slightly scared, but spoke quietly so as to not upset Himitsu.

Atem held out his hand, "Hand it to me. There's something I want to check."

Yuugi nodded. He carefully pulled the pendant off with his free hand and placed it in Atem's. Atem quickly pulled it over his head and his eyes widened. He knew the sensation well, but why could Yuugi feel it? Yuugi had never been able to access the powers of the Pendant before. He rather quickly took his former position, "We don't have two minutes..." he stated.

As if to puncuate his remark, the glass windows appeared to flash freeze. Himitsu obviously had to concentrate, and her chanting got louder and more focused. The ice seemed to crumble off, revealing a rather amused looking Belphegor standing in front of the main window and looking at the seals. He was in full demon form. He smirked and looked into the shop, "Well, I suppose I should be flattered at the welcoming party..."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji jumped and smashed the card in his hand, summoning Izanagi-no-Okami. It had been the first time he'd summoned the Persona since when he'd fought Izanami, and it seemed almost foreign to him. However, he couldn't use a weapon right now. Izanagi-no-Okami would have to do for now.

"I thought you said we had three minutes!" Minato yelled at Eriol, who was now holding his key in a defensive position. He was waiting for the glass to shatter, and for him to be able to fire a bolt of lightning out that door.

"I said approximately three minutes. It wasn't an exact time," Eriol stated.

[mugenginga]

Belphegor paused as Izanagi-no-Okami was summoned. It felt similar to a demon, but off in many ways. That certainly hadn't been something he'd been expecting. Every night at midnight the Island changed... the thing above the silver haired teenager seemed most like the creatures of that time. Which in themselves were rather demonic. He shrugged with open palms.

"It is really quite the hassle to have to mow you all down. Deliver Abel to me and you'll all live."

Kaini blinked, "What the hell are you talking about!? No one by that name is here!" he had taken a defensive position, as had his demons. Abel? As in Genesis? What the hell?

Belphegor turned towards Kaini and narrowed his eyes for a moment. This replica of Abel's seemed somewhat familiar... "Who are you...?" he stated. If anyone had an attack that could hit despite the barrier of the shop, now would probably not be a bad time to attempt it.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato clenched his teeth. Himitsu didn't want him to summon his Persona in the shop. He didn't want to summon his Persona at all. But with the way things were going, he doubted they could win against Belphegor without doing so. He swore. They should have brough Naoto and Kanji along too...

As it was, Souji did have a spell that could hit through the barrier. It ignored all barriers, physical and magical. Being an Almighty skill, it didn't do much damage, but compared to sitting there and waiting for Belphegor to break through, it was better than nothing.

Above Belphegor's head, a large orb made of white colored energy was forming and sending off sparks. The orb then exploded with energy.

Souji gave a few heavy breaths. Megidolaon was a costly spell. And while Izanagi-no-Okami had Victory Cry, that didn't kick in until after a battle...

Eriol was still waiting. Any second now...

[mugenginga]

Belphegor stepped back as the attack hit, and not simply in an attempted dodge. He scowled and glared at Izanagi-no-Okami and then at Souji. Despite obviously being effected, it didn't seem to have done much to the demon. He turned his focus back to Kaini. There was definently something going on in Belphegor's head over Keiichi's twin, "I believe I have asked you a question."

"It's none of your business who I am! There isn't anyone named Abel here, so get the hell out of here!"

"No one named Abel in this current life, for sure," Belphegor replied, "Just as your identity seems to be different than what you think it to be."

In his current life...?

Kaini took a step back. Himitsu's training had allowed him to think on his feet, and for all his power he didn't seem inclined to attack the shop. Both Atem and Yuugi had their hands tied at the moment. Souji's reaction to using that spell showed it was draining, and it hadn't really seemed to do anything beyond getting Belphegor's attention. Little more than a small shove, if that.

Lamb... sinner... you'll find out soon enough.... oh my God, does he mean...?

Kaini snapped his head towards Minato. Minato was the one who had shoved that notebook into his hands. He was the one who had said he'd find out soon enough. He didn't put stock in reincarnation, he was, after all Christian. But if Keiichi was somehow... "Minato-san, is Keiichi-oniisan Abel!?"

Yuugi felt a breath catch in his throat. He tried to remain focused on the Belphegor. There was nothing he could do right now. The sword certainly couldn't pass through the glass, and Nefertum's one attack skill would shatter it. Atem's hands were similarly tied. While he had cards that might work, Himitsu in her orders had forbade them. And it would rely on luck of the draw. He had Temu's card in his hand. He'd have it crushed before the demon fully came through the glass if it came to that. Somehow... it didn't seem it would. Belphegor was still staring at Kaini intently. He was obviously the twin of Abel's current incarnation. He was using demons, and Belphegor had deduced the COMP's purpose thanks to his ability with technology and ingenuity. This teen was somehow connected to Cain and Abel. He hated not knowing things, it was his biggest strength and his greatest weakness.

Kaini had all but pulled from the fight as he waited for Minato's response. The visions that had flashed across his mind when he thought about killing Naoya worried him. He had a suspicion now, and he quite honestly hoped to God that Keiichi wasn't Abel. It didn't bode well for who Naoya could potentially be... Despite his harsh answer expecting face, the worry playing out in his mind was also quite obvious. Kikuri-hime and Culebre were both still on defense, but the former gave a nervous look in her master's direction.

She, indeed all the demons, knew the identities of the soul possessed by her master's twin and cousin thanks to Abel's participation the War of Bel. Kaini had never thought to ask those he was under contract with, they would have been bound to inform him. But the Bel demon, who would slaughter them if he chose to attack, seemed to think there was something special about Kaini as well. Sure, he had been chosen by God, but was there something more...?

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato turned Kaini's direction. This really wasn't the time for him to be asking this. Sure, Belphegor didn't seem to be on the attack now, but it was still dangerous. Minato looked outside the shop at Belphegor before turning to Kaini. "Yeah. That Belphegor guy out there, he's after K1 because K1's the reincarnation of Abel. And because K1 can't defend himself right now..." Minato felt no need to end that sentence, or to tell Kaini about the Throne of Bel at the moment. Besides... Belphegor would probably let that cat out of the bag in a few seconds anyways.

"Minato, grab me a Snuff Soul from out of my duffel bag," Souji said. "I can't keep launching off Megidolaons every five seconds and expect to still be able to fight." Especially since Izanagi-no-Okami doesn't actually have any skills that can put that giant spear of his to good use. At this point, he didn't care that Belphegor could hear him talking.

Minato looked over at Souji before running to the duffel bag and pulling out what looked like a chewing tobacco container. He tossed it to Souji, who caught it with one hand.

"...Please move out of the way of the door, everyone. I need a clear shot," Eriol said. Meanwhile, his key had reconfigured itself to a form more suitable for firing off distance shots, best known as Key of Heaven: Cannon Forme.

((OOC: Because a walking Nanoha reference in the form of a male clockwork doll isn't complete without his weapon having multiple forms.))

[mugenginga]

Belphegor was scowling rather deeply. Atem seemed mildly surprised at this. The demon hadn't seemed to be one who was easily phased the last time they had met. Now he was not only phased, but looked like he was literally trying to stare into Kaini's soul. His eyes flicked to the side for a bit, he saw Eriol's key reconfigure. He had to give both Eriol and the key this much. They were fascinating pieces of technology. He waved his hand past himself, casting Makarakarn upon himself. Yuugi glanced down at his COMP, and saw the words "Makarakarn" on his screen. He didn't know what the skill was, though. Atem saw Yuugi look at the COMP.

Kaini wasn't looking at his COMP, he was too busy feeling creepy out by the soul stare of Belphegor. Kikuri-hime turned and spoke to him, "Master, don't use a magical attack! The demon will reflect it!"

Kaini turned towards her, and even she was startled by his expression. Kaini had put the pieces together and his face was a mix of grief, shock, and a bit of terror. No wonder he'd gotten visions upon wanting to kill Naoya. God had chosen him, which meant He would protect from doing something so foolish as... killing Cain. Cain's punishment would be transferred to him if he did so, with the power at sevenfold. Kaini shook his head and seemed to settle back into the fight.

And all that was minor compared to Abel willingly working with Cain. And it seemed he knew he was doing that. Why would Keiichi...?

"No one use any spells! It'll reflect!" he shouted, trying to shake the flooding emotions away. He was really the only one in the way of Eriol's attack being fired off, but as he had said a magical attack would reflect. As such he maintained his ground.

It wasn't cause he was in too much shock to move, he tried to convince himself.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Uncharacteristically for the doll, he swore. It was in Chinese, but it was still likely that Himitsu had caught the rather foul language. The barrier was holding for now, but that didn't mean it didn't frustrate Eriol that Kaini was just standing around like an idiot. In front of where Eriol was aiming. Oh, and Belphegor had just cast a spell on himself too, meaning that even if Eriol got a clean shot, it would just reflect back at him.

"Mr. Sheep-boy! Move out of the way already or I'll have to singe off your cute little wool!" Eriol yelled. He'd dropped the polite tone by this point.

Souji chewed on the Snuff Soul. There. Now he wasn't so drained... Though it didn't remove the fact that he was chewing on what was essentially magical chewing tobacco. He hoped he wouldn't get cancer from this stuff.

[mugenginga]

It was extremely clear that none of those involved in the fights had intentions at backing down. And as much as Belphegor's purpose should have been the death of Abel, his curioisity had finally gotten the better of him. I mean, demon of invention and knowledge? Yeah, it created certain personality quirks. Belphegor didn't like being in the dark, and half the reason he helped humans invent things was to see how royally they'd eff up their life with the inventions. Literature had referred to him as the one who lead man down the path of laziness via invention. It wasn't an exaggeration. Belphegor looked at the seals, reading the cuneform scratch before holding out both his hands. The silver haired teenager wasn't the only one that could use Almighty skills, after all.

To say the windows shattered would be an understatement really. More like disintegrated, the few bits of surviving spell tags cascading down. The attack didn't just damage the window. A fair number of things in the shop were knocked over, and Yuugi felt himself being pushed back by the force. Atem managed to not be, but he did have to put effort into planting his feet. Belphegor had aimed the entire attack at the glass, knowing he'd need the full power to get past the tags. Luckily it meant the attack hit no one.

Although one couldn't tell from the way Himitsu collapsed. She was still quite conscious, it was just as if her legs had given out, "Palette, now!" she managed to say, although she did look like she was going to pass out soon.

Kaini braced himself as the residue of the Megidolaon attack rippled through the shop. Culebre and Kikuri-hime both took defensive positions directly in front of the teen. They hadn't realized they were going to have to throw their lives away so foolishly, but they were bound by the contract and had no choice. Kaini looked down at his COMP. Belphegor was strong against every attack he could throw at him, and would reflect fire and block mystic. Well that was just dandy. Belphegor returned to staring at Kaini, a smirk crossing his face.

...it was pretty clear who he planned on targeting first.