Chapter 142: Freedom

The moment they arrived back, immediately they were able to see a significant change made to the attic, that being of a large hole breached into its side. They could feel the cold winds blow from the ruptured walls, hearing the steady creaking of the planks made from the flooring they were on, and were hearing a clash going on from outside. They were finally back to reality. As Harvard would try to lead everyone outside to face the enemy invading, Pria would stumble a bit, still in pain after the attack she made upon herself to act as the key for freedom. Harvard and Zazel would see her struggling to get up, having her moved into a position around the attic where she can see the fight in full without needing to be involved. "Just relax. You've done enough....and thanks for everything." The Card Magician would state, a smile being given. Pria couldn't help but smile back, moving her hands up to pet them on the head softly.

"Go kill that bastard for me...Make him pay." She would share a warm smile, to which the boys would nod in acceptance for such a request. Before long, they would leap down to the earthy ground, witnessing a literal war in display: Solomon and Stolas forced in a battle against two monsters, ones that Harvard recognized instantly, while Manipura and Fiona would be both severely injured and poisoned by the beast's effects.

Apep and Lamia, his very own creations.

At the same time, they could feel something closing in, the sounds of dirt being scraped and a hiss in tandem. The Card Magician would pass a card to Zazel, one that wielded the Potion to heal such injuries. The two knew what they need to do, and within an instant, they'd split up, with Harvard managing his own beasts, and Zazel healing up the Pastor and the Archer, while also facing off against the new threat. Harvard would cast a spell to multiply himself, followed by two more to share between each body, one wielding a scythe, another with Lemegeton. The two would try to push back the beasts, allowing Stolas and Solomon some breathing room and a chance to regain their energy, with Harvard and his Copy being very careful to maintain their distance and their ground, trying to not be bit by such monsters. The enemies were swift, watching keenly before lunging forward to strike, only leaving seconds to react, which the Card Magicians did swiftly, parrying the attacks or evading it altogether. The monsters continued their assault in this repeated exchange, biding their time before striking when they least expect it, followed by a parry or dodge from the opposition. It was like being a Bull Fighter in terms of patience and evasion to avoid a brutal death.

Zazel, meanwhile, would cast the spell and heal up the two ill fighters, whilst preparing a sigil to act as a wall. The monster would leap forward and attempt a heavy slash at the Devil, yet he'd counter by angling the sigil and smack it straight across its throat, causing it to stop its attacks and try to regain its breath. "Oh hey....a Bug." The demon replied, watching the monster squirm before he aimed Asmodeus towards the beast and incinerated it. The two would share a confused expression at Zazel's words, to which he realized what he said was a bit much. "Y-Y'now, because he's green? Like an inse-"

BAM!!

A Left hook straight into the Devil's face, forcing him to stumble back, a bit of his cheek clawed as he'd see the monster still be alive after the cremation, his green skin, however, now being a charred black. The Demon would set up another sigil in the form of Sabnock to create some knuckledusters, getting within a boxing stance before approaching it and fighting it in close quarters. The beast would try to lunge their hits to and fro, using its feet as mobility to close in and strike a vital, yet Zazel would raise his arms up to take the hit instead, wincing at the cuts, before striking back with a straight left punch, followed by a right, then a left, then a right. The two maintained their ground, with the Devil weaving and dodging his attacks while doing his own, and the Beast taking the punches and aiming to kill with its sharpened claws to hit a vital area, trying to slip their arms through the openings to stab into his chest. As the two children faced such opposition, with their allies trying to get up and helping out once they reach their bearings, they would be met with another swarm of enemies coming towards them. Another Apep, another Lamia, another Green-like monster, and not one, not two, but three Nuckelavee's, with a man being seen at the back, a Man that the children recognized immediately. "Oh god, he can really do that...." Zazel would mutter under his breath, watching as the man in all black stared down at the group, watching as everyone would be forced to fight back against such an army.

A Man with the same clothes, the same hat, and the same glowing eyes that peered into the souls of everyone who dared look at him. "Interesting, Interesting~! You're finally back. You actually survived my assault within my very mind. You boys must have such powerful perseverance to go this far...Perhaps it must've been my message that made you so focused. Perhaps it must've been your very nightmares that made you escape with ease....Such experience I am learning today, and yet, I have you to thank for teaching me such experiences..." The Hat Man would speak, still carrying such a jovial tone despite the ongoing scene, watching as Stolas and Solomon were forced to deal with the Serpentine monstrosities, while Manipura and Fiona were forced to fend off the Nuckelavee's. He'd clap his hands as a means to congratulate them, before talking once more. "....However, it is most unfortunate that I must be eliminating you. Although, Do not let that discourage you to let me hear more tones. To Witness more Reactions. To see your personalities, your traits, your quirks, All of them to shine in this very battle!"

"It would be my greatest pleasure...to memorize and forever remember such emotions drawn today."