Naby, who was ontop of the rooftops would have watched that whole thing happen... why didn't he help the boy, oh wait it was a scripted event by the creator the this RP. Naby would sigh as he watches the puddle grow in size even if it's a slow rate "Great, just great. When I a demon going to ever get a break from this kind of mess... Hmmm better watch someone and sees what happens if they get close to the puddle"

A young woman wanders down the street. She'd come to the area right around the time one of those shadows finished off the mugger, seeing the gun drop down to the ground as Russel vanishes into the dark puddle she just sighs as a purple light engulfs her. "Wonderful, so I guess this won't be just another quiet day... And here I was finally having some fun despite the witch hunts. Oh well, no sense whining when I've got work to do!" The mystical outfit takes shape around her as the girl's shield rests on her arm. She'd form a pistol in her hands and simply walk forward into the puddle. Aiming to follow after Russel despite any misgiving's she may have about this madness. Can't be worse than Witch's Barrier, right?

A large man could be seen enjoying the fresh air and the night sky. In his hands he held a couple small baton shaped objects which he used to juggle as he walked. Everything seemed normal, until he heard a commotion from just up ahead. The man quickly pocketed his batons before dashing ahead as fast as he could, however he soon found he was far too late. "What the hell is that?" His eyes go wide as he sees a familiar face approach the strange substance. Leading to him rushing ahead once again. "H-Hey! Homura! Don't be so reckless! You don't know what that stuff is!" Steeling himself for what was to come, he ran his hand over the hilt of his blade.

"Ok then... by the looks of the words above me... it's safe and i'm not going to die... well then um that jumping word people say and it was the word drum and a word like below" Naby jumps into the puddle

"Damn it! Well, here goes nothing!" Taking a breath and waiting for Naby to enter, Kalib steadies himself and jumps in. Letting himself be taken in completely by the puddle as his very being drifts to sleep.

She'd glance over to Kalib as he rushes toward her, oh is he worried? Nice of him... "Don't worry, call it a wild guess but I don't feel like we're gonna die from this Kalib. I wouldn't have done it if so, and there's already someone else trapped in here... Gotta be a way to get him out." Anything else she might say would be cut off, however, as the girl begins to drift into sleep for now. Of course, a certain part of her mind isn't overly fond of that idea. But there's no point in worrying over what she says right now, not when people are in danger.

Kalib slowly comes to as he lets out a brief yawn. As he gathers his bearings, he takes note of the sudden change of scenery. Sure it seemed nice, but looks could be ever so deceiving. But that was all secondary, first and foremost he looked for his allies to make sure they were okay. "Hey, Homura and uh... you're a new face. Either way, are you two okay?"

Homura looks around, gun held up high as she grins at Kalib. "Don't worry about it Kalib! I'm as fine as I ever am, which is pretty good actually." Of course, the next question becomes where exactly do they go next... That house nearby with the name on it seems promising to her, and she'd guess it might even be the person they're looking for in this madness. "Now come on, I'm not sure who you are new guy but uh just stay behind me. Kalib I assume you've still got that Persona right? Either way, I guess I can take the lead. I'm pretty hard to kill despite my small size!" Comes with the turf of being a magical girl, unless you make a stupid mistake and get the gem broken. Either way, the girl keeps on moving toward's 'Russel's house' and begins to scan through the area around it. If nothing stood out as a threat, she'd walk up to the door and simply check the knob.

Kalib scratched his head awkwardly as he followed Homura. "R-Right... Persona... I'm plenty strong without having to use it though, so don't you worry about me..." His body would shake softly as he spoke, but after gripping the hilt of his blade he began to calm down. He'd then proceed to enter the building. "Hm?" The sudden shift is certainly enough to put him back on edge, but it didn't seem to affect him at all. His eyes would notice a syringe however, causing him to drift towards it in an attempt to investigate the liquid.

Plenty strong without using it? What exactly happened to Kalib? "I can see the shaking and if something happened I'd like to know... We don't really talk that much I guess, but I'll still help if anything's wrong." That being said, she's got no time to focus on such things and would walk through the door herself in a moment. Gun held up as she prepares... For a fight that never comes. Instead, she'd look towards the odd liquid as well and walk to it. "What on earth is this? I've never seen anything like it before. But I can't help being worried, the whole place feels unreal, almost like a Witch's Barrier... But not quite the same."

He didn't face Homura as she tried getting him to open up. "I'm fine. Just caught a chill cause this place is so weird..." He'd then proceed to lift up the syringe and watch the liquid before reading the label. The name caused him to smile softly. "Happy Dream Serum, huh? Is this what the kids are doing nowadays? Something that sounds this fantastically childish is sure to be anything but fun..." He gripped the syringe tighter. "But this is odd... you said you saw someone else swallowed by that puddle? So where are they?"

Wonderful, not even willing to open up a bit... He's clearly lying beyond belief. But there's no sense in worrying over it too much. "Whatever this stuff does I say we just stuff it in my shield. Or smash it against the wall, I don't know exactly what it is but a name like that... It just feels dangerous to me." As for his question, that is something which needs answering yes. In any case, she'd begin walking out the door of the room back into the main house while looking back at Kalib. "I haven't a clue yet, he was the source of that stuff too... Maybe it is like a Witch's Barrier, whoever made it sits at the center somewhere?" if that were the case though... Who knows what became of that boy. Even so, better not to focus on it. She'd simply walk through the house and assuming she found nothing go back outside.

Gunfire, rifle maybe? Or a shotgun... Something big. "Come on, no time to waste when there's something happening!" The girl rushes off, carried with high speed as she raises her shield and puts away the pistol. From her buckler a glowing purple barrier would rush forward, taking the shape of a simple riot shield in front of Homura as she aims to get closer to the gunshots, rather than move away like a sane person.

His grip tightened further on the syringe as he placed it in his pocket. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm a bit curious as to the specifics of this serum. It might hold some truth, or it might just be dangerous. I'd like to perform some tests back at my lab before jumping to any conclusions." He'd begin following behind Homura and leave the house. "So the person who was pulled in was also the source of this place? Either way, we need to secure him and get back h-" That's when he'd hear the gunshot. His body froze and his face began to lose color, but with a quick slap to his face, he was back in the moment. "I'm with you! Let's go!" He unsheathed the blade on his hip while chasing after Homura. Hopefully even in his current state he'd be able to handle a gun... hopefully.

The gunshot would lead them out in front of the larger house which was mostly green with a sign out front: "Animal Breeder Tabasa" A young man who seemed to be in his early twenties was holding a rifle and seemed to be aiming it up towards the sky. He would be wearing a coat with a hood that almost looked like something a member of the military might wear casually or an explorer of some kind. From his hair that was visible under the hood an almost tribal ornament seemed to hang. It would take him a moment as he lowered his rifle but he'd finally turn to notice the two approaching him. Huh, oh. Sorry, did I scare you with the gunshots? I didn't realize anyone was on this side of town too. I was just adjusting my rifle for my trip into the woods today. A friend of mine dropped something there recently and asked me to go get it for her since the woods have been getting a little dangerous lately. Oh, right. I should probably introduce myself since you seem to be strangers. I'm Tabasa, I take care of the animals around here, whether they're injured wild animals or livestock that need feeding.

He didn't seem to lying and Kalib didn't want to look any more hostile than a grown man with a sword could, nevermind the riot shield toting schoolgirl. He sheathed his sword again. "Uh, yeah. You caught us off guard a little bit. Was a relatively quiet day!" He lets out an awkward laugh before clapping Homura on the back and pushing her forward. "Oh! That's right! My friend here was looking for someone! Go ahead Homura, maybe he knows who we're looking for!"

The girl just sighs as Kalib pushes her forward, a year ago that would have made her break into a nervous fit of stutters. Now though, she simply causes the magical energy of her shield to vanish and looks over at Tabasa with a wry smile. "You could say I'm entirely too used to gunfire, but no it wasn't expected right now..." And yes, they are in fact looking for someone aren't they. "Anyway, have you seen a boy with blue eyes and blonde hair around? Name of Russel, in case that's any help." Or so she think, given it's the first thing they found here it feels like as though the mailbox with a name is that boy's, he's the source of this place after all.

Tabasa would seem to scratch his head for a moment as he heard the name. He would look over the two with a confused expression for a moment before replying. "Russell? That name sounds familiar but I can't quite place it. I think the guy who was supposed to move in today was named Russell but I can't really be sure. Sorry, not sure if I can help you there. The house nearby would be where anyone new would move into so if they aren't there then they must have wandered off. Strange though, can't have gone into town, I would've noticed since the only path to the rest of the town is next to my house here. The only place they would've gone is off to the woods since that's just past their house. Well, I'm heading there now anyway. If you want I'll help you look around that area. As I said I was already going there to look for my friend's hair ornaments anyway."

"Well ain't that oddly convenient..." Kalib mumbled to himself before looking towards the forest. He was flying blind in this world. It wasn't the Metaverse, it wasn't the TV world, hell it wasn't any typical Shadow fare that he was used to. It was a world with rules he still needed to learn if he wanted to do anything. A lengthy sigh escapes his lips. "Well I guess it can't be helped then..." He turns back to Tabasa with a wide grin. "Two birds with one stone sounds A-okay to me! Wouldn't be able to sleep letting you do a good deed somewhere dangerous without backup! Name's Kalib, by the way!"

eh, enough of this ''tension'', lets get it over with, a small hole appears right around kalib and big whoop, its the head of a purple, 7'3 snake centipede hybrid.....and he's eating a piece of paper....eh, i've done it as well ....''...well im h-ah god dammit, its kalib''

Hmm, so this place is full of danger huh? Well, it's not like she has anything against working with... Is this person a dream? "Alright then, we'll help look for those hair things and you help look for that guy! I'm Homura Akemi by the way, and you can count on me if anything happens!" She'd grin over at the boy as a light blurs from her shield, in a few moments an automatic rifle takes shape in her hands and the girl begins walking forward into the forest. Weapon drawn and ready as her eyes dart around with a practiced ease, as though she's more at home preparing for what she knows is a danger rather than simply wondering if she's in danger at all. "Eyes sharp and don't get careless, if this place is as bad as you say Tabasa then I don't want anyone messing around in it... Oh well, I've likely seen worse things at least."

''aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand i also joined when there'ssssss a fight....ain't the first time, but eh, its better then looking at dirt for 3 months....well, alot of thing are better then dirt...like panties from women, that are 18 and up, no pedo, anyways now im just rambling....lord hope no women heard me say that panties thing....''

Tabasa would almost laugh a little as he followed Homura's lead and began heading towards the forest. He'd take a moment to look at Rep, unsure what to make of the odd creature but too busy to pay it much mind at the moment. "Well, it's still just a forest. Anyway, good to meet you Kalib and Homura, hope we can get along alright. I've been going in and out of the woods for as long as I can remember but as I said there have been some strange creatures roaming it lately." On the path to the forest, just as the trees would begin getting thicker, there would be a strange entity that almost seemed to be made of bronze floating in the air. Rather than arms it almost seemed to have wings of sorts that would rest plainly at its sides. Its head would only be a singular robotic looking eye that seemed to be spinning in place rapidly. An artificial sounding voice would seem to be blaring out a warning every so often. Odd Entity: CANNOT CONTROL, CANNOT CONTROL...HELP ME...WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT REQUIRED... Tabasa would look carefully at the entity before speaking once more. Tabasa: Oh, an Incarner, didn't think these guys got so far out of the woods usually. What's this one's deal though? They don't usually act like this...

just cuz he could, he followed the group, and as this ''incarner''he'd look surprised ...''well....i've seen weirder....but eh i've seen 3 satan's before...''

Homura would glare at the snake, stopping in her tracks and taking a firing stance while bringing her gun towards the snake-like being. "Rep, we both know bullets won't even begin to kill you. And using them on you would be a waste at best... But mention anything like that again and you will regret it somehow do you understand me? Even more so if it were around Madoka." The girl sighs and flips back around, looking over at the... Robot? Almost like the minions of certain Witch actually. "Is it hostile? The speech seems to say no, but I've learned to take few things at face value at this point. Save for that the snake bug thing is never a threat, he's not smart enough to be a threat." She'd aim her gun towards the 'Incarner', eyes focused upon it as she prepares to fire her weapon if needed. Of course, maybe it's not an issue at all and she's just assuming the worst, place is too much like a Barrier not to think the worst.

Sighing as he takes note of Rep, Kalib follows the group into the forest. His eyes were kept sharp and his attention never pulled away from his surroundings. That was of course before they encountered the odd looking automaton. Kalib's eyes took on a childlike glint of excitement as he walked briskly towards the entity. The corners of his mouth angled sharply in a bemused smile. It was all so interesting, and oh so curious. "Why hello Mr. Incarner, I'm Kalib. Pleased to meetcha!" He slowly walked around the Incarner in an attempt to learn all he could of the outer layer of this "machine". "Now what's a gorgeous piece of work like yourself doing out here in the bush? Wouldn't want to get all banged up would ya?" His mania would subside for a moment as he finally hears the Incarner's plea. "Words of encouragement? Oddly specific... but here goes! Come on pal! You can do it! Just a little bit more and it'll be in your grasp! I believe in you!"

imminently when that threat happens from homura, he'd stay still as a rock, terrorfied, i mean, if a girl threatens you, you'd be spooked would you?, i would, and im a fake person...narrating rep...yep ''...i...er...ah ssssssssssssssssssssshit....''

Tabasa would look back at Homura with an amused smile as if he found the idea of the entity being a threat funny. Tabasa: These guys? Nah, they couldn't even hurt a fly if they tried. Not really much for fighting, I guess. They're nomads as far as I can tell. Showed up in the middle of the forest one day and just have kinda been there since. They'll trade with anyone who enters there village but that's about it. Though I've never known them to wander outside of the forest much so seeing one here is definitely weird. The outside of the Incarners body could be seen to be segmented into multiple parts that were specially fitted to allow it to mimic the same amount of joint control as that of a human being yet its shape would be closer to that of a bird with a mysterious technology of some kind that seemed to allow it to hover in mid-air without any real means of propulsion. The mechanical eye that made up most of its head also seemed to be made of a crystal-like red glass of some kind with a large glowing white pupil in the center. The Incarner's head would slowly begin slowing down before finally stopping and facing Kalib. Incarner: YOU WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT INDEED RANG TRUE. YOU HAVE MY GRATITUDE, I AM AN INCARNER. PLEASED TO MEET YOU, AS THANKS FOR YOUR HELP PLEASE TAKE THIS. The Incarner would extend both of its wing-like appendages towards Kalib before between the tips of its nubs an odd red ball similar in appearance to a common bouncy ball would materialize out of thin air. Incarner: MY PEOPLE ARE AFRAID, SO VERY AFRAID OF THE MONSTER THAT APPEARED IN OUR VILLAGE. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE MONSTER THAT MOST OF US HAVE SCATTERED AWAY. WE CANNOT DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE. SINCE YOU WERE ABLE TO HELP ME I BELIEVE YOU TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THAT "Green Monster". WOULD YOU PLEASE ASSIST MY PEOPLE IN THIS?

"so....just a pathetic robot merchant they are?........eh, don't care....not being rude, the only i care bout this is that crystal....shiny...i think thats a crystal....." but yeah, rep mostly stares at the eyes of the robot thing

Kalib smiled and bowed his head after receiving the small red ball from the Incarner. "No sweat pal! Couldn't leave ya out here like that!" Kalib would raise his head and secure the ball in one of his pockets. His initial task seemed to be getting further away, but he wasn't about to turn his back on people. "So there's a big bad giving you and your people grief, huh? I guess I'll have to clobber some manners into him!" Kalib slams his left fist into his right hand. "That's a promise, pal!"

''....ah...god...kalib....he's the most optimistic motherfucker i've ever meet...i hate it...." he'd give a slight growl to kalib, but, hopefully kailb can't hear....hopefully....anyways, rep digs up a we bit closer to the robot, just a we bit though

The girl just sighs and lowers her gun, shooting Rep a glare for a moment before turning to the strange robot with a smile on her face. "I'm not too sure what this thing you guys are dealing with is, but fighting dangerous monsters is... Kind of my job I guess, we'll help you out for sure!" She'd raise her arm into the air, rifle and all going up with a shout as she suddenly recalls that oh yeah. There's another reason they're here isn't there? "And on another note, have you seen a boy with blue eyes and blonde hair? His name is Russel, and we came here looking for him. If not, just try to keep an eye out."

he'd let out a long sigh before saying ''fuck it, why not, i'll join, im bored, and sense i can't die...so....yeah why not'' he then mumbles why, from all the people, did i have to be with 2 of the top 10 people that hate me....ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The Icarner would seem happy but it wouldn't show too much aside from its pupil lighting up a bit more. Incarner: YES, THANK YOU! THE MONSTER SHOULD BE NEAR THE VILLAGE UP AHEAD. YOU'LL KNOW YOU'VE REACHED THE VILLAGE CLEARING WHEN YOU SEE OUR MAIN HEADQUARTERS BUILDING. THERE SHOULDN'T BE MANY OF US LEFT THERE BUT IT WILL AT LEAST BE A SUITABLE LANDMARK. Tabasa would nod at Kalib with approval before going on ahead of everyone else. Tabasa: I'll go on ahead to the village. Make sure you're not too late talking but I know you might want to collect any information you can on your friend. Green monster though, didn't know something like that could be found in this forest... The Icarner would stare at Homura for a moment with its singular eye. Incarner: BLONDE HAIR? YES, I BELIEVE I SAW SOMETHING WITH BLONDE HAIR PASS BY WHEN I HAD LOST CONTROL OF MY VISION BUT I WASN'T TOO SURE WHAT IT WAS EXACTLY. SORRY, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ON THAT.

'sigh...lets get this over for now...cuz i just want some cash'' his head then goes back on the hole, as rep would now be digging to the village at pretty decent speed...yay

"So this green monster has some notoriety, huh?" Kalib lost himself in thought as he watched Tabasa head off. He soon found himself playing with the orb in his pocket as he thought himself around in circles. "No good. This place is too strange to figure out just yet..." He shakes his head and begins looking around as he waited for Homura to finish up.

fortunately, rep would already digging to the village, digging at a pretty fast speed, the only way he's doing this is that he hopes to get something outta it. ....''think im going the right place...''

Homura sighs, so he did go through this area then? Well, it seems as though they'll get nowhere by just standing around talking. "Hmm, I guess that's all then. Just be sure to let us know if you see any more of him. Anyway, come on Kalib we've got a monster to hunt!" Monster hunters... That seems like something she's heard somewhere, but she isn't sure where. Of course, Rep is quite intentionally left out of that statement. Even so, she'd walk forward and aim to find this base of the robots. Hopefully, with some luck, they'll be able to kill two birds with one stone and find Russel by doing this as well.[ Either way, she'd turn to Kalib now that they seem to be the only ones left. "So, when the heck did GYM have a lab in it anyways? Can't say I've heard of that before, but if you're doing any tests on that weird drug then I'm curious about it myself. I'll have to come by for this." With that, she'd focus on walking forward once again.

"Let's just say I leased the basement to a few curious specimens... hehe..." With an awkward laugh he'd follow suit.

rep pops his head up right in the middle of the village, and notices the paths, and is very interested bout the two cats ....hm....guess i'll go that way.... he then goes back underground and straight up drills under the cats....it feels like that was a we bit to easy...maybe

The girl looks to Tabasa, a curious face appearing as she too glances down at the ground around this path. "Hmm, something up here? I can't say that I'm an expert tracker or anything, generally, the things I fight are... About as subtle as a brick to the head." Hah, that's true if you happen to be someone like her. Even so, she'd stay entirely straight-faced as she looks over to their... Ally for now? Hmm, who knows but the point is that he seems to have something of a clue. "Moving on though, what do you think we're even looking for? I can't say I've met many green monsters in my time. Surprisingly in fact."

Kalib arrives alongside Homura, however his attention is stolen by the blocked path to the north. "That looks about as natural as a wooden leg... well whatever..." He turns back to Homura and Tabasa. His eyes would do a quick sweep of the ground in an attempt to find what Tabasa was seemingly interested in. "Did you find tracks?"

Tabasa would look up from the path to address the other two. Tabasa: Yeah, it's subtle but the dirt here is somewhat displaced. It must've been a while ago but someone definitely passed through, well, or something. I'd say it's a safe bet to say that whatever we're looking for is down this path. I'll leave it up to you guys whether you want to go now or wait. We should probably proceed with caution. The animals in the forest seem restless. Along the Southern pass Rep would suddenly be stopped as he was digging through the ground. A sudden crash would be heard as something painful seemed to lauch onto Rep from above. It would be on of the long arms of the cats who had seemingly punched a hole through the ground to grab onto Rep. Its razor-sharp claws would've been sharp enough to pierce even his shell as it would begin trying to pull him out of the ground. Cattie A: Mya! Where do you think you're going, kid? Think you can pull a fast one over mya? I'll show you what happens when you mess with a Cattie!

The animals may be restless... But Homura's not one to wait around, and who knows when this monster could strike next? "I feel like it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later, and at least this place seems to follow some form of sane-ish geometry. More than can be said for my usual hunting grounds honestly." Yes, despite seemingly being a dream or something akin to one. This place oddly enough makes some sense, it raises as many questions as it answers. But in the end worrying over them does no good, even more so when the fact paths exist serves only to help them. "Come on, I'll take the lead." Despite the fight that seems to have started, Homura would simply walk down the path cautiously. Creeping forward prepared to strike in moments. Even as she sighs and hears the cries of pain from the foolish Rep.

Kalib grins and nods along with Homura's words. "Yup! No sense in wasting time! The sooner we find the green guy, the sooner we find those hair accessories, and the sooner we find Russ!" He hears cries of pain in the distance. "Yup! Even Rep agrees we ought to go deal with this as soon as possible!"

Tabasa would follow Homura and Kalib to the area ahead, rifle ready in his hands. The area would bring them to the edge of a cliff where they'd be able to see an ocean of sorts extending up to the edge down below. The sun would already be getting ready to set but more pressing was the center of the area where Russell could be seen asleep on the ground next to what seemed to be a hair accessory of some sort. Tabasa: Hey, that's Gardenia's accessory and...Russell? That's the kid you guys were looking for right? Strange, he seems familiar even though...I don't think I've met him before but, why does it feel like I have? Meanwhile, Rep's attempt to get away from the Cattie would work as its grip on him would begin slipping but its claws would scratch his shell up before fully letting go. Cattie: Mya! You won't get away! I have a few tricks up my sleeve too! Mya! Suddenly Rep could feel something soft approach him through the hole the Cattie made. It would attempt to use his spin to entangle itself around him further before beginning to try and squeeze his body tightly. It was the Catties' tail which despite a cat's tail usually being one of the weaker parts of its body, this tail seemed to be equal in force to the cat's powerful arms. It would attempt to pull Rep up to the surface, squeezing him all the while.

unfortnly, the blood loss would simply be to much to do anymore, as he then gives up, and as he getting pulled up, he says: ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!....IM SORRY, PLEASE, I'LL DO ANYTHING, DON;T HURT ME! it sounded kind of fake, but it was enough to fool anyone

"Gardenia? I like it. Has a nice ring to it!" Kalib would approach the scene slowly. Sure all he could see was a kid and some accessory, but that's exactly why he was on edge. Why is the kid asleep next to it? He crept forward until he was right beside Russell. Using his left hand he'd grab for the accessory and he'd also use his right hand to rouse Russ from slumber. "Psst! Sleepyhead! You're wasting away the sun, kiddo! Up 'n at 'em!"

The girl would walk towards Russel, her gun vanishing into her shield with a flash as she decides that perhaps carrying an assault rifle isn't the best way to greet someone. "Oh, so I see you've fallen asleep in here... Isn't that kind of redundant?" She'd tilt her head at the boy, perhaps there's something more to him than meets the eye... No, there's no question about that otherwise they wouldn't be here at all. The question is exactly what there is to him. "Anyway, Homura Akemi and it's nice to meet you. What exactly are you doing wandering around out here, I hear it's dangerous."

The cat who picked up Rep would look over to their subordinate to which they'd reply with a shrug. The cattie would toss Rep back into the forest clearing from before. Cattie: Mye! We don't have time to deal with small fry, just remember not to underestimate us Cattie or you'll end up hurt, see? Now scram unless you want another piece of mye! Despite Kalib's prodding Russell wouldn't yet wake up from his slumber. He'd stir slightly but it seemed to be more due to some nightmare he was having rather than anything else. Suddenly the ground between Russell and Kalib would begin to shake. Something green would begin sprouting out from it, slowly at first but soon it would burst out of the ground all at once giving Kalib several seconds to move away before it arrived. From the ground, it appeared to be a giant vine of sorts in the shape of an arm of some sort. From the vine grew three giant green pods that resembled eyes in colour. The plant would somehow give out a loud roar as the pods seemed to move around and adjust as if watching Kalib, Homura, and Tabasa. Russell would be nocked away by the sudden appearance of the monster being pushed back somewhere behind the creature. Tabasa could only look back in horror at the creature. Tabasa: W-what the heck is that thing? I didn't know there was something like this in the forest... He'd grab on tightly to his rifle but he'd seem a bit hesitant to use it oddly enough.

as he gets tossed back, he;d gets up, sure in pain, but, he had an idea, he'd snap and yells out: PERSONA! imminently, when he says that, a humongous, centipede, slowly but surely, appears, with poison stained fangs, and huge claws, as big as human hands, and its height, the centipede would be 10 times bigger then the cat, as rep would point to the cat, and omuakde yells out a boold curling scream, as it then crawls to the cats, as it looks down to the pathetic cats. or cat

"RUSSELL!" Kalib goes to reach for Russell but is promptly tossed back by the emerging force of the creature. Rolling backwards a few times he finally stops a couple meters away. He looks up at the creature from the ground with a grin. "Well then... the jolly green jackass finally came out to play!" He slowly rises from the ground and dusts himself off before turning to Tabasa. "Here you go, pal! Your mission is right here." Kalib would take one of Tabasa's hands and place the accessory in his palm before closing his fingers around it. "You've got people who need you alive. So just stay back for right now if you can't move. Leave this to us and enjoy the show!" With a quick smile he turns back to face the enemy. His hand returns to the hilt of his blade and draws it. "Come on then! Everyone loves an underdog story! Don't you slack off Homura!' With that he'd rush towards the monster and attempt to slash at the leftmost pod.

Feels stronger than a simple minion, and those pods are watching them as well... "Right then, it's a living plant huh? Not the first time I've one of those, let's see how it likes a taste of this attack for a start, COME OUT HOMULILLY!" The girl's rifle takes shape once again, and as a black card takes shape in the shot's path, the sound of glass shattering rings through the air before a tall... Thing appears, where a head should be instead there's simply a vague outline and pure black. Arms made of swirling shadow, all bound together in an outfit like Homura's own, save the broken clock where the center of its chest should be. "Crash down." The Persona rushes upwards, a shadowy pole with a guillotine blade resting in her hands as it floats above the target. In moments, a torrent of wind shaped into razor-sharp blades would begin flying from her weapon, wide slashes with it sending them downwards toward the foe as Homura looks on and aims her weapon carefully. "Careful, I'm not sure what this can do but chances are I won't die from my Persona being attacked. The same can't be said of human bodies, so it might be best to stay back."

The cats would just seem to stand stalwart against the centipedes. Their expressions would not falter or change even with its approach. They would both nod to one another before reeling back their fists and then together they would shout. Catties: Super Cattie Punch!!! Together they would let loose a mighty combo attack in which both of them would punch Omukade directly in its neck with a force that could easily destroy a mountain if focused enough. The cats clearly possessed strength far beyond that of an average human. The upper and lowest pod on the creature would both be ruptured as green goo of some sort began to slowly leak out from the wounds received from each attack. Despite this, the creature barely seemed to even notice or react to the attacks. From the middle pod, a pair of vines would extend and begin whipping around wildly. One of the vines would be aiming to strike at Kalib while another tried to knock Homura's Persona out of the air. Tabasa would take a step back before aiming his rifle at the creature yet he still struggled to pull the trigger. Suddenly, a voice seems to echo from the creature. It would sound like a chorus of many different creatures with high pitched voices. Witnessing One: We know... We know what you did to him. We know what you did... We were watching... Right as you- Finally, the sound of a gunshot would ring out as a flaming bullet seemed to hit the middle pod before bursting into a large ball of flames. The bullet would come from Tabasa. Tabasa: Damn, monster. I don't know what you are but that's enough!

Right then, vines can attack things above them... That's fine though, the Persona twist's its blade around wildly. The metal rod flying through the air and easily tearing through most of the vine. on the other hand, however, it'd still slam into her and send the thing crashing down to the ground from sheer momentum. "Hmm, feels like this thing might be pretty tough. Guess I'll try something a bit different this time." Rather than a gun, a black katana with burn marks over the blade would take shape in her hands. The girl rushing forward as dark magic begins flowing into her weapon, in a few moments she'd have reached her target. Only to hear voices. "W-what is this thing talking ab- no. This isn't the time to consider the implications of something like that, focus on winning..." Her sword flies, darkness twisting over the blade and sharpening it as her she moves forward and tries to slice into the thing's main body. Tearing into it with inhuman speed as her Persona begins to get up from the ground and prepare to attack again.

Kalib takes the lashing from the vines as he throws up his arms in defence. Each swipe at him would cause him to wince as lacerations appear on his forearms. He continued to wait out an opening to counterattack, but that's when the voices started. "Wh-What are you on about?" Confused by the voices and what they meant, Kalib was just as startled as the creature by the gun shot. However, he didn't just stand there like a bumbling idiot. He slashed at the vines and flashed Tabasa a thumbs up. "Way to play! Keep it up Tabasa!" Kalib would then toss his blade into the air and stretch out his arms in front of him before catching the blade on its decent. "Well can't say I haven't seen a monster prey on insecurities, but I feel like this is all you've got. No second form. No sudden power spike. But hey, that's just the rambling of someone caught up in something bigger than himself." He dashes forwards once more and attempts to land a few slashes against the main body alongside Homura. "Even if you prove me wrong, I'll chop you up into rabbit food!"

The girl's eyes go wide for a moment, but regardless of that by this point her Persona's more than happy to do its job. The shadowy being would rush forward in a blur, placing its weapon in the path of the monkey's tail as an attempt to block the thing from hitting Homura or Kalib, and slice into it if possible. "Now then, time to put a quick stop to this I think... Or I hope." Her shield glows, blade vanishing into it and being replaced with a large sniper rifle as the girl moves away. After gaining some ground, she'd aim through the scope and look toward's her foe's chest. Firing a pair of shots straight towards the center of it, large bullets rushing through the air as Homura winces from the gun slamming into her shoulder.

Kalib quickly flicks his blade to remove any residual goo and watching the plant creature fall. "Heheh! You're out of season, punk! Come back when you can... put up... oh no." Almost immediately regretting the choice of words, Kalib raises his blade in preparation as the ooze gathered. The sudden color change was already cause for alarm, but what really unnerved him was the strange laughter. It wasn't normal, that's all he knew as the hairs on his neck stood on end. He wasn't terribly concerned about his own state, but he quickly glanced back to Tabasa and was shocked by what he saw. He had no idea the severity of this laughters effects, but it probably wasn't good news. His thoughts were stopped dead in their tracks as something swept his legs out from underneath him. He landed on his back and his sword flew out of his hand. "WHOA! Owowow..."

The sword would be able to slice straight through the monkies tail but no before it could trip up Kalib. Oddly it didn't seem to mind the pain of losing its tail and never lost its sinister smile. Even Homura's attack, although effective at damaging the creature, would seem to be ignored as it just laughed louder almost as if it was trying to mask the pain. It would quickly approach Kalib seeing that he fell down and slam it's strangely shaped arms down onto him in an attempt to try and crush him. Tabasa would struggle to regain his own focus. He felt as though he was in a daze of sorts. It was like something was desperately trying to scratch to the surface of his mind but something much more powerful was suppressing it. He would fall to his knees before looking up briefly. Tabasa: You...have to silence it somehow...anything to distract it....something that could keep hitting it...

Right then, make it be quite huh? "Alright, well I hope this works... Kalib use that stupid ball you got, I just get the sense it might be important so here goes, Masukukaja!" The Persona spins its weapon around, green light engulfing the party as their speed would shoot up in an instant. As for Homura herself, the girl simply watches curiously and wonders if this idea will really work... Oh well, if not then at the least Homulilly can always be counted on to come up with, 'effective attacks'. "If that doesn't work, well I can try something else too."

Kalib quickly rolls to the side, but not before the creature lands a glancing blow on his right arm, more blood forming on his arm. He stands up once more and glares at the creature. "Keep laughing, punk. I'll shut you up soon enough!" Kalib turns his head towards Homura and Tabasa, flashing the pair a thumbs up as the green light engulfs him. His hair waving as the magic dances around him. He turns back to face the monkey and draws the small batons from his pocket; slowly he begins to juggle them in his left hand. Using his right hand he'd retrieve the small red ball and begin his attack. "Monkey, monkey..." He tosses the red ball at the monkey with enhanced speed. "DO!" He winces due to the damage done to his right arm, but he'd fight through it and continue his assault. Each time the ball bounced off he'd use his speed boost to intercept and toss it again. And with each subsequent toss, he would throw a baton into the mix to compound what little damage he was doing.

The monkey would be unsure how to react to the assault as Kalib might notice the ball would have begun glowing with a bright white light each time it hit the creature. It almost seemed to burn at its flesh with each hit causing it to stop laughing and start screeching in pain. Tabasa would finally be able to regain his composure as he stood back up and faced the beast once more. He would pull out his rifle and point it directly towards its head. Tabasa: Alright, time to finish this thing for once and for all but I'll need a little prep time for this... The rifle would seem to glow with a white light similar to the one the ball would give off but the light surrounding the rifle was much brighter and seemed more concentrated. As the monkey screeched and hissed with each hit the world would suddenly seem to grow darker and time would seem to slow down for everyone but despite this sudden shift Homura and Kalib would both be fully conscious of this change. Suddenly a child's voice would begin speaking as if narrating over the situation. Child's Voice: As I came in, the zookeeper was feeding the monkeys. The monkeys were screeching loudly. I had a vision of dad. He should just die. Reality would seem to return to normal for the moment with Tabasa still charging his attack.

Kalib grins as he catches the glowing ball. "Ha! How's that? Kalib see, Kalib do, Kalib made a fool of you!" While he was gloating, he'd feel the sudden shift as time seemed to slow down. Another anomaly in this strange world, and not only that, it came with it's own strange voice. "I don't know what's going on, but the more these things keep talking. The more I'm reminded of how Shadows act..." As reality returns to normal, Kalib doesn't dwell on what happened and continues his assault. He slides to the left of the monkey and continues pelting it with the oddly effective ball. "Take your time Tabasa! I don't want Curious George here having enough juice in him for a second wind!"

The girl simply stares at their foe for now. The sudden shift in reality, however, would bring about questions... Even so, there's no sense in worrying over them too much at the moment. "I would attack it myself, but I feel likely to cause friendly fire with you so close Kalib! So uh instead I'll just... Provide moral support, you can do it guys I believe in you!" God, even she feels silly at this point. Her Persona would simply shake its head and absently twirl its blade around. Staring at the monkey with a dark smile upon its shadowy face, eyes glowing purple and showing a hunger as the thing ignore's Homura's grinning cheers.

The monkey would grow impatient with Kalib's attacks and begin to try and interfere with his plan. Its tale would seem to reform from its base before taking a wide swing around its body to try and catch Kalib while he jolted around it. Tabasa: Alright, I'm ready! Sory but I'm gonna have to put you down now. Try not to take it personally... Tabasa would point the rifle directly at the creature's head as he prepared to [Snipe] it. Just before he pulled the trigger the world would glow dark and time would slow once more. The child's voice once again would begin speaking. Child's Voice: Then I talked with the zookeeper a little. The zookeeper was really nice, and secretly let me into his room. I felt this was what having a big brother would be like. When I thought that, I got kind of sad, and hit the back of the zookeeper's head. He was squatting in front of a cage, so it was easy to hit him in the head. Reality would return to normal and Tabasa would finally pull the trigger. A stream of light seemed to fire from the weapon before a bullet that almost seemed more like a beam of light struck the beast directly in the end. It would cry out in pain as it grabbed its own head but it would already be too late. Slowly started from its head it would begin disappearing in a cloud of black smoke until nothing remained of the creature.

The monkey got the jump on Kalib as his tail again knocks him down. "Alright. I deserve that one... hm?" As he hits the ground, time begins to slow and the lights would begin to dim. He heard the voice once more and thought nothing of it. That was of course until the final words reached his ears. "W-What the hell? What's going on here!?" Time and light would flood back leaving Kalib to watch the monkey get sniped. A shiver ran down his spine as he watched the creature disappear in a cloud of smoke. He sat there for a few moments until the stinging of his arms brought him back to attention. He slowly stood up and collected his equipment before walking over to Russell. He tries once more to rouse him from his slumber. "Rise and shine, Russ. Come on pal, you okay?"

Geez did Kalib really fall again? Either way, as time slows down the girl would simply stand still, staring in horror at the events playing out before them... Maybe what happened to Tabasa in that was a vision of some kind? But if so, then was it of things to come? Or things which have already happened. Her head shakes as the Persona vanishes into darkness once more, walking toward Russel. "Right then, seems as though we're dealing with some odd stuff huh Kalib? At any rate, Russel seems alive I guess. So hey job well done on our part from the looks of it, item found, kid saved, monster beaten!" She'd cheer and raise a fist into the air, her gun having been replaced by a small bead moments ago as she leans down toward the sleeping boy. She'd simply focus upon the item for a moment, and from there the thing vanishes into him, hopefully causing him to wake up... No telling though given how weird this place is. "Anyway, if we're lucky that'll get him back on his feet. If not, then I guess I'll just have to carry him away from this place!"

Russel's eyes would slowly open but there was no telling if it was due to the revival bead or if it was because his nightmare had finally ended. The boy would get up with his usual blank stare before looking around. Upon seeing Tabasa his expression would become slightly troubled but he would quickly seem to move past any worries he might be having as he stands up and begins walking back to the town. Russell: The day is ending. You'll want to return to wherever it is you started. Just as Russell said that the sun would have set giving way to the night. The area would become darker than before and the world itself seemed to grow silent. Tabasa would remain near where the monster died simply staring at the ground for a while. Tabasa: Strange, I feel kind of bad for it. I know it was us or it but...I almost wish we could've been friends.

"Hmph! You're welcome!... brat. And yeah, mission complete Homura!" Kalib puffed out his cheeks in annoyance as Russell just left the group there. Kalib also made note of how peculiar it was that the time of day changed in accordance to Russ' words, odd indeed. He shook his head and wandered over to where Tabasa was. He overheard what the young man said and smiled softly before putting a hand on Tabasa's shoulder. "Killing is never supposed to feel good. Life isn't something you should cherish snuffing out. You've got a good head on those shoulders!" Kalib continued to smile, but even as he did there was something eating away at the back of his mind. Why was that voice speaking to them? Why did Tabasa seem affected the most? Kalib's mind began racing as he tried to put the clues together. "Hey Tabasa... did you hear anything during the fight? Like, I dunno, a kid recounting a strange story?"

Russel's sudden running off would leave Homura slightly annoyed, and only saying that much before doing so as well. What a pain. "Well, he's gone already and it feels like we've learned nothing. At least he's safe, but now there's even more questions..." As day turns to night, however, she'd simply sigh and turn over to Tabasa. Idle thoughts on why exactly time meets that guy's words come to mind. But she can't help frowning a bit at the older boy's statement. "Yeah Kalib... Heh, killing isn't something to get used to. If anything it's good that you'd say that!" Feels a bit strange though, speaking about something so close to a Witch's minions as if it were alive. Or a Shadow perhaps. Despite that however, she'd simply smile and begin walking back to the start point. Turning back to Kalib and Tabasa as she does so. "Yeah, I'm curious about that too actually."

Tabasa would look at the others confused. Tabasa: Strange story? I didn't hear a kid speaking but that monster was saying some strange stuff about watching someone do something. Is that what you mean or...No, unless... Nevermind, felt like I remembered something for a second. Don't know what I'd be remembering though. I've never seen a monster like that before in my life. Uh, hey, is it alright if we head back now. My head's starting to hurt and I'm not too sure why. It's getting late anyway and I should probably return Gardenia's hair ornament to her.

Kalib pauses for a moment. "Sure. I won't press any further... let's get you home." Suspicions begin to dance with what little facts Kalib had on hand. His mind was on fire with theories but none of them would do any good with Tabasa's current state. "Curiouser and curiouser... well for now we've got enough to think about, eh Homura? Let's take Russell's advice and head back." Taking his sword into his right hand, he begins walking back.

So he doesn't know what happened then, but he was recalling something... Bits of a puzzle are here, and the question is how to put them into a picture that makes sense. "I see, yeah it'd be good to get back where we came from. Come on Kalib, I'd say this day has been... Enlighting in some ways, but the answers just lead to even more questions don't they." The girl would begin walking off, once more heading for well Russel. "That we do Kalib, and I'm holding you to not doing anything with those drugs without me around. And whatever you do don't take it, I feel like that stuff is dangerous." With a sigh she'd keep on moving to the start point, something about Kalib is just wrong right now. And she still doesn't know what happened to his Persona. Either way, now's feeling a good time to take a break...

Tabasa would be oddly silent on the way back and just looking at him something seemed off about his demeanour. He seemed tired and looked slightly ill, almost becoming as pale as a ghost. Finally returning back outside of his house he'd finally seem to lose his balance and fall to his knees. The house Russell's name would be plastered on over next to the other two identical buildings would be lit up implying someone was inside but the light would be oddly red as if soaked in blood. Tabasa: You guys go ahead and check on Russell. I'll be fine, I just need a minute here...

"Tabasa!" Kalib quickly takes a knee beside the young man. He bites at his lip upon seeing Tabasa's condition. "Damn it. Hang in there buddy! You're gonna be right as rain!" Kalib stands and faces Homura. "Can you help him? You've helped me before, so you've gotta be able to help him, right? I can't do anything. My Persona couldn't heal even if it wanted to. And setting him on fire doesn't sound like it'd help any..." He turns his back on the pair and begins rushing over to Russell's house. Something was clearly up and he didn't have any time to waste. "I'll be right back!"

The girl sighs and looks at Tabasa, shaking her head as she wanders closer. "Not a chance, you look awful from where I'm standing. And I'm not about to just leave someone to get sick or something, even if we've only just met! Kalib can look in on Russel, I've got faith in him." With that, she'd simply walk over to Tabasa and stare at him. Pushing her glasses up as moonlight gleams off them, not even a hint of moving as she looks over the seemingly sickly boy. "And don't try to argue, people's safety just isn't something I'm willing to leave be... Too many failures there, it'd just be wrong not to do my best. But enough of that!" She'd simply hold her hands out, light rushing from the gem on the back of her right one and into Tabasa. As she does so, assuming this was something normal he'd likely notice himself feeling better. Though it's by no means enough to cure something that one couldn't generally heal from, and the gem on her hand would grow dark alarmingly quickly as she wipes sweat from her forehead. "Did that help any? If not I'm kinda lost as to what this could be honestly."

Upon entering Russell's home Kalib would immediately notice a contrast to the once white clean room. It would be completely covered in blood as if flooded in it. Mouths seemed to replace the window that was once present and would be whispering. Russell sat before the bed in the center now stained in blood as well. In his lap, he held a journal and would be looking through it. A deep look of regret and shame seemed to fill his once expressionless face as he read through the journal's latest entree. Outside Tabasa would be trying to get back up and struggling to do so. He was still pale and obviously, his fatigue didn't quite vanish. Tabasa: Yeah, I feel a lot better now. I'll be fine... He would grab his head for a moment as his very image seemed to be getting slightly staticky. He almost seemed to be becoming transparent like a real ghost.

The scene was beyond unsettling, almost causing Kalib to lose his lunch right there. But swallowing what was in his throat he continued into the house. The whispering caused him to break out in goosebumps as he slowly closed in on Russell. His face held an expression that no child should ever bear, but this world clearly played by its own rules. "Russell? Hey, are you okay? I'm going to need you to talk to me buddy..." He slowly knelt before the boy, reaching out a hand to touch Russell's own. "If something is wrong, I want to know. I'm a bit of a busybody and seeing people wearing a pained look on their face makes me want to reach out a hand to help. Come on, Russ..."

No effect. What the hell is this then, it's clearly not a simple bout of being wounded or a bit sick. "Damnit, I'm not letting somebody die on me... Again" What is there to do here though? He looks faded... "Now, Tabasa when did this start? I'm not sure of the cause here but there's gotta be something to do right..." She's not entirely sure of that though, and explaining what that voice said feels like either a good or the worst possible idea right now. The issue is, she's got no idea which of those is true.

Russell would quickly close the dairy as Kalib reached out as if to hide what it said. He would be fearful of his touch almost as if such things were foreign to him. Russell: You shouldn't involve yourself in this. The more attached you get the harder it will be when you eventually learn what I am. No matter what I can't be forgiven for what I've done. This world and everything in it, this is my punishment. This pain is the only redemption I'm deserving of so I'll suffer it again and again until I can make up for what I've done. Tabasa would suddenly seem to grow more still and silent as the world darkened in a familiar manner. The Tabasa Homura had met before would be replaced by another one altogether. One with blood dripping down from his head and a much more sinister look in his eye. Tabasa?: Die? That's funny but you're a bit too late for that. It's already far too late to save me. More importantly, can you tell me why? Why do you think he did that? I didn't do anything to him so why did he strike me in the back of the head? Did he think nobody was watching? But they were watching, the animals in the cages just as I was getting ready to feed them, they saw it all.

So that's how it is huh. She'd just grimace and look at him with a wince in her eyes, wondering who exactly he is. Though a guess starts to form. "I'm not like him, I may know how to kill something but people... I've never thought of killing someone unprovoked. The reason why? It's entirely alien to someone like me." She'd look down at her feet, sounding far quieter than usual as a sadness creeps into her voice. "IBut I'd guess that he did think no one was watching, people tend to forget animals a lot of the time... And then some would give their life for one." Bitter laughter, that's all that comes from Homura's mouth for a moment as tears splash against her glasses. After a bit, she'd begin wiping the lenses off and take a breath. "A-anyway, was it Russel? I'm starting to think he's the center of all this, and I have to find out why..."

"Shouldn't involve myself? Make it harder when I find out what you are?" Kalib laughs softly at the boy's words. "You think you're the only one who has done something unforgivable? He... I've done terrible things... let terrible things happen... just to satisfy a greater goal..." Kalib sits down in front of Russell and crosses his legs. "I figured something was up whenever I was fighting that monkey. And your face when you saw Tabasa... I knew my suspicions were relatively close to being accurate." He shifted his weight and looked around the room. "Your own personal hell then? And who says this will grant you any sort of solace? Or is this retribution you've doled out on yourself?" He lets out a small sigh before continuing. "There's just two questions I have for you Russell... what led you down this path?" He reaches into his pocket and produces the syringe. "And what exactly is this?"

Tabasa would smile in an eerie way as if satisfied with Homura's answers but there was something more to the look in his eyes. Tabasa: Alien to you? Yes, I suppose in a world like this everything would be alien to someone who's never even thought about killing. Russell was a boy who lost the ability to feel and doesn't think his actions are wrong. That's why this world exists, so he can pay for what he's done and so he can learn what it means to be human. As his guilt grows so too does the instability of this world until eventually, it'll all fall apart. It's too late to save anyone now. Everyone here is already dead and Russell is fated to die at the hands of his own guilt. Russell would look up to Kalib, his eyes going back to their blank state but it was clear that he felt disgusted just looking at the syringe. Russell: This world...I already know it comes from me but I didn't choose this fate. My whole life has been poisoned and that poison has seeped into and destroyed everything around me. Their solution when they found out what a toxic child I was, was to use me as a test subject to see if there was a way to clean away the toxin at its source. I'm not sure exactly what the drug is but I've been through this already. I can't escape my sins, the drug won't let me. It'll always take me back here without fail. It prays on those with a guilty heart, tries to make them regret their actions and restore any emotions they've lost along the way. The only thing I can do is go through the dream until I reach the end and hope I'll be able to finally be free of this torment.

The girl's eyes suddenly burn, a flame inside them despite any sadness she might feel for what happened to the zookeeper who didn't do a damn thing to harm that boy and got killed in return. "No, you're wrong about that. What happened to you was horrible, maybe it even should be unforgivable. But I refuse to believe that he's truly beyond redeeming, not because of some misplaced faith in noble ideals about humans..." She'd laugh again, no it'd be too naive even for her to say everyone can be saved. But, there's one thing about this whole speech that to Homura, defeats the whole point of what's being said. "If he can feel guilty about it then he can want to change. I'm not sure if it'll work or not, but he's alive. I'm not dying, I'm not letting Kalib die, and I'm not letting Russel die either. Say what you will, but I'm not giving up. And thank you for telling me what I needed to know, Tabasa." With that, the girl simply turns around and walks away from Tabasa. Heading over to Russel's house with a look of grim determination on her face, even if that guy's killed people, it's not as if this would be the first time Homura tried to help a killer... Even if the other wasn't so direct in her methods of causing death.

"A guilty heart, huh?" Kalib's eyes focus hard on the syringe but after a moment he shakes his head and returns it to his pocket. "I can't even begin to fathom what that must've been like. I couldn't even begin to describe how terrible that sounds... but even if I could, would you really want pity?" His hands ball into fists on his knees. "So you just need to keep putting yourself through this hell until you regain what you've lost. Keep living the same unrelenting nightmare until someone decides enough is enough? Look, I just barely understand what I'm getting into but it doesn't mean I'm backing out." He stands up slowly and looks down at the boy. "I personally believe people can change if they genuinely want it. Moving past who they were and living on to become who they want to become. I guess what I'm saying is I don't want to see you die until you take the first step to really being free. Who knows, maybe this is where my retribution begins?" He turns his back on Russell and laughs softly. "But to get out of my hole, I need to let go of the shovel first..."

Finally, the image of Tabasa would seem to take on one of his normal and calmer smiles before it would break out into complete static and vanish. The world around Homura would begin to darken further and further as she could feel herself being forced back to sleep or perhaps back into reality. Kalib back with Russell would notice a similar event as Russell looked over one last time, his eyes seeming to begin closing. Russell: The dream is ending. it's time to wake up again. The day may be ending but you'll soon find a way to enter back into the dream again. As long as the desire to return remains there shall always be a way to come back to this nameless town... Finally Russell would seem to lay back on the bed regardless of the apparent blood covering it. For a moment Kalib would be able to see the blood clear away as the figure of a woman loomed over head. Her features would be too blurred by the darkening world to make out but she seemed to be floating and looking down upon them. The darkness would then pull both Homura and Kalib away from the world. When they regained consciousness they would find themselves back where they were before in the real world. The dark puddle would now be cleared away but Russell would be no where to be seen.