Black claws tear

Yue and Gao's eyes become bloodshot, as they see Roshi disappear in a cloud of darkness. Gao ran as fast as he could towards the amalgamation that had consumed his friend, Yue close behind. Suddenly, the black cloud of bat wings expanded, revealing Roshi, Blood flowing from many pores in his body, dazed. 5 could be seen, holding the bats away for now, but locking Roshi in place.

Gao's gauntlet rocketed at the swirling bats. But their cries only seem to have gotten louder, one rising above them all. Gao froze, as he heard the flapping of great wings behind him. But that suddenly stopped. A red light shined a metre and a half above the floor, as it dashed and danced around the room. In a singular moment, the blackwings surrounding Roshi disappeared, leaving only red blood and black hairs splattered in all directions.

The pillar appeared with wind extending in trails around him.

He turned to Roshi, and clicked his fingers.

His wounds were covered by an array of bandages.

"Don't rush off like that again. This is meant to be an experience, not a death sentence. What would you have done if I wasn't able to get to you before the bat's calls broke you, or if they got past your last defence. You seem to be the central strategy creator. So lock one thing in. Treat every situation like life and death."

Roshi grunted in reply.

Gao's anger still burned at an incredible rate, he turned viciously, only to see the corpse of an enormous bat laying dead on the floor.

The pillar sighed. "Now let the battle begin."

Vadik shook his head and focused. "I'll provide light! We'll form a circle around Roshi. to extract him from the room."

"Nope, I'm not being a dead weight," Roshi said as he brushed his face with the back of his hands. Two of the cards turned into Kunai.

"Barely gotten started."

Vadik smiled. "Then, at least give the bracelet to Mr pillar over, in fact no, what's your name sir?"

"Eli Etzem."

Astrid and Himari chuckled as they simultaneously cut some bats in half, while Neji took a mental note of the name as he swung his hammer down. One tore at his flesh, but he crushed it in he crushed it with his fist.

Vadik blinked. "I think as a collective, we'll just call you Edgy."

Etzem appeared in front of Vadik with a knife to his throat.

"I guess not Mr Etzem. Anyway, since you're apparently ready to go, why don't you make the plan for us Roshi? I just do the shouting. Oh and do it fast." he said, as he sliced two bats in half, "The world doesn't wait for the injured."

Sensing the challenge, Roshi grimaced. Then, he clapped.

"In future, we're gonna need hand signs, but for now, formation 1: Spear! Haru at the front, two lines diagonally behind him. Gao, Yue and Himari on one side, in that order, Neji, Me and Astrid on the other. Vadik, to provide sight, you'll be in the center behind all of us, holding two of the lights. Trust us to protect you on that front. And besides, you can't die with Mr Edg- Etzem around."

Etzem rolled his eyes. While everyone chuckled, Neji proclaimed "I thought you said these things were the third strongest type of rupture." only to be brought back to reality by two large screams resounding from the deeper part of the cavern.

"Well, those things seem annoyed at that comment," Astrid noted, "Might come for you first."

"Here we go then!" Vadik shouted, with affirmations surrounding him.