Business X Strangeness X Justice

"Anby, on your left!"

"Roger."

Within the Companion Hollow located near Fourteenth Street, two people were currently battling against a group of Ethereals.

The first voice came from a male, a tall and lengthy individual wearing a red leather jacket and tight fitting black jeans. In his hands were a pair of twin revolvers, bullets shooting out from them at a rapid pace, striking the Ethereals.

The second voice was a young woman dressed in green and black was up close and personal with the monsters. In her hand was a sleek black sword that cut through the cores of the Ethereals with relative ease.

The two moved in perfect harmony, reflecting their many battles together. With their proficiency, the two were able to dispatch them rather quickly.

"Whew! These Ethereals just won't stop coming." Billy Kid, member of the Cunning Hares spoke up, watching the last of the group fade away. Nearby, Anby Demara surveyed the area.

"It doesn't seem like there are any more nearby." She turned to Billy, sheathing her sword. "How are your reserves looking."

"I still got enough bullets. We should start- Hm? Anby, look over there."

The girl looked over where Billy was pointing. A small area. There, someone was writhing across the ground.

"Miguel Silver. Leader of the Red Fang Gang. It seems he was unfortunate enough to fall into the Hollow."

The man before them was in a pitiful state. His right arm was covered in a lime green substance shaped in the form of a sword. Ether Crystals jutted out from every part of his body with a good portion of his head sprouting the same substance as the sword.

"At this rate... It's only a matter of time before he turns into an Ethereal." Unfortunately, such was the way of the world. It's one of the reasons it's so dangerous to venture into a Hollow. The risk of suffering from Ether Corruption.

"The strongbox is at his feet." Anby shifted her gaze, seeing the target of their commission at his feet.

"Ah! You're right. Awesome, saves us the trouble of looking for it." Anby suddenly sprinted forward, prompting Billy to speak up. "Anby, what're you going to do?"

"Catch him, then recover the strongbox." Speaking as if it was the most obvious thing in the world Anby continued forward as Billy just sighed.

"I.... Ughh... De...stroy... Ughhh!" Miguel suddenly became muttering, his voice heavily distorted.

"The Ether Corruption is so intense. I don't think this guy has any Ether Aptitude at all." Billy walked forward, keeping an eye on the writhing figure as the man continued to mutter.

"Can't... take... Must... ughh... Destroy!" The corruption within his body continued. His body became more covered with Ether Crystals, leaving only his a side of his face exposed, his eye a black void.

"His consciousness is still hanging on!"

"Forget it, Anby. Ether Crystals are all over his body. He's already-"

"Ugh! Help!... Destroy.... UGHHH!" The Red Fang Gang's final words were cut short before half of his head became covered with Ether Crystals.

"It's the core! Dammit, He's almost completely mutated!"

*BOOM*

A large explosion, sending Billy and Anby skidding back. The two looked ahead readying themselves as the dust slowly faded, revealing the previously obscured figure that was once Miguel Silver.

A towering Ethereal stood before the, far more different from the previous ones they fought. It's left hand was shaped like a blade and the other held a sort of shield made from Ether Crystals.

"This guys a tough one! Anby, get ready!"

"Roger that!"

In an instant, the Ethereal exploded forward, it's blade aiming for Billy if Anby hadn't blocked it. A loud clang echoed out as Anby was forced back. Billy made some distance, aiming his revolvers and firing at the core.

In response, the Ethereal simply raised it's shield, the bullets bouncing off.

"No luck, huh."

The crackling of lightning sounded out as Anby launched towards the Ethereal, lashing out with her sword now coated in lightning as she swung out multiple times. It seemed to have a sort of an effect as it stepped back, letting out a scream before swinging it's blade.

Anby's upper body bended back, dodging the swing by a hair's breath as she quickly regained her stability, delivering a solid horizontal slash that left a clean cut against the Ethereal's side.

"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!!!" It let out a screech out pain, ready to swing it's blade, only to shield itself from the hail of gunfire from Billy's revolvers. It was ready to rush forward only to defend itself from Anby's sword.

As the two blades clashed the Ethereal suddenly let out a scream, a violent gust of wind rising, causing Anby to jump back, Billy quickly coming to her side.

"It's Ether Activity seems to be increasing. Should we keep up the attack."

"Nah, we don't have the firepower for that." Billy locked onto some fire extinguishers, shooting them and causing the area to get enveloped in a dense cloud of smoke. "Let's bounce!"

The two quickly retreated just as the Ethereal's blade sliced through the smoke, dispersing it with a single swing. Seeing that the two were gone it let out another roar rushing forward in mad fury.

 ***

I would've loved to stare at Nicole's ass for longer but we had arrived at out destination a lengthy alley where an entrance towards the Hollow was.

Nicole, who had at some point started carrying Eous, set them down on the ground just as some voice came from her phone.

"Okay! Right, little one, off you go then~" She patted the top of Eous's head and pointed towards the Hollow. With an enthusiastic 'Ehn-na!' the Bangboo begin walking towards the Hollow entrance.

By god, did this girl not wear a bra? I mean, in the most literal way, her boobs were jiggling with the most minor movements. And seeing her pet Eous... Never in my life have I wanted to be a Bangboo more than I do now.

"Now, as for you." I blink, seeing Nicole now standing up and looking at me. "What, having second thoughts?"

"No, I was just... Admiring the view." I quickly catch up with Eous, trailing behind as we enter the Hollow, leaving behind a flushed Nicole who had managed to interpret my words.

The sensation of my entire body being forcefully dragged forward as I was greeted with the sight of a myriad of colors before finding myself in a mess of a train station.

"It feels so weird entering a Hollow." I look around, taking in the new sights before looking down at Eous, seeing that it now held a smoke bomb. "Am I to assume I'm talking to Phaethon right now?"

"That's right." Belle's voice came from Eous's... mouth? I don't actually know where her voice was coming from. Eh, it doesn't really matter.

"The rumors of Phaethon certainly live up to their name. Now, do you know where the members of the Cunning Hares are?"

"Not quite, but if we track where the most Ether Activity is-" Belle's words were cut short by the explosion in the distance. We silently stared at each other before looking at the rising cloud of smoke in the sky.

"I think that might be them."

"Quick! let's get going, they might be in trouble."

"I think it might take awhile with your... stubby legs. Allow me." I crouch down, scooping out Eous into my arms. Once I made sure I had a firm grip I took off into a sprint. It's the first time I've used my full speed and I have to say it's certainly an experience.

The surroundings were a blur as I raced through the station, leaping into the air before running across the trains. With speed considering superhuman I jumped down, skidding to a stop behind a wrecked train. Up ahead we're Billy and Anby ready to face down a pair of Ethereals.

"Well... Do you're thing."

"Urg... So fast... so dizzy..." I set the Bangboo down, watching it wobble before quickly snapping out of it. It reached into... Somewhere, pulling out two other smoke bombs and tossing them, all three landing accurately between the two pairs and exploding out in smoke.

Billy and Anby seemed confused before hearing Belle call out to them. Turning, the saw the Bangboo wave them over before hiding behind the train. They quickly rushed over, staring down at Eous.

"Good work, all." Belle smiled as Eous placed it's hands on it's hips with Billy and Anby awkwardly staring before recognition kicked in.

"It's a scarf-wearing, talking Bangboo..." And with that, Billy figured it out two.

"Ohhh! You're-" Billy made a dramatic show of pointing down as Eous just as the two spoke in sync.

""Phaethon!""