Night 73: Basement, South Hall

[no_dont_go]

[from here]

This hall was much shorter than the other two she and Sechs had traversed together. Much shorter. And all they had here was one large door, and it was much more ominous than their last one. The creatures there reminded her of Shadows while the ones on the other reminded her of Personas. What would this lead them to...

There was even some writing above the head of the snake that protruded out at them. An offering of blood was needed, but did the message mean that only two of them could pass through? Aigis wondered. By all accounts, she and Sechs were the leaders of their party.

"Sechs-san and I should give the offering," Aigis stated, her eyes turning to Soushi. "We appreciate your company, Soushi-san, but if there is something dangerous on the other side then we will be leading you into further darkness."

Comments

[no_dont_go]

Aigis nodded. Sechs had a point. Leaving Soushi behind was unfair, as well as potentially dangerous for him. Even if they were walking into the most dangerous area of the institute, leaving him alone and friendless was the same as abandoning him and she couldn't stand the thought either. It was rather frustrating.

But Soushi had a brilliant solution to their problems and Aigis' brows rose in appreciation. "Of course! Your ability to double yourself should certainly solve the problem."

She smiled, glad to see a twin of their new ally appear and lock away whatever worries she had before. They would make it in just fine altogether it seemed. But still, she turned back to the snake fangs, her hand reaching out, knowing exactly what it was that needed to be done.

"All right. Then Sechs-san and I shall go ahead first and scout about, and you should follow shortly after. When you come in, hopefully we will be able to inform you of any immediate dangers." And with that, she pressed her finger lightly to the snake fang and the sharp point of the fashioned tooth pierced her skin, marking it with a drop of blood.

[sixth_attack]

Unlike their first encounter from the night before, Soushi's duplication ability came as a pleasant surprise to Sechs. Seeing it as the perfect solution to their problem, Sechs threw his head back and gave out a bark-like laugh. "HAH! That's perfect!" he exclaimed. Why hadn't he thought of that before? "That oughta satisfy the stupid 'two person rule' here!"

The fact that their group had suddenly gained a fourth teammate encouraged Sechs even more. He couldn't stop grinning even with such oppressive darkness surrounding them. They hadn't brought Soushi for nothing after all! They still stood a chance!

As Aigis offered a sample of her blood to the stone fangs, Sechs gave Soushi (or at least, one of the Soushis) an encouraging pat on the back. "Yeah, as soon as we're on the other side get both of your butts through the door and be ready for anything!"

With that said, Sechs turned and faced the looming door alongside Aigis. Stowing his flashlight into his pocket, Sechs tightened his grip upon his axe and adjusted the machete beneath his back belt. He then raised his free hand up to the gaping jaw of the stone snake. Having already cut his thumb earlier for the ring, Sechs' blood came readily as he pressed his skin against the ancient tooth.

Now with both fangs quenched with blood, Sechs took a step back and waited for the door to open...

[To here.]