The battle of NetCastle D-119.

Bloodied by sword strikes and buffeted by ground swells, SINNBAD was not looking so good. His armor was dented and scratched in several places and more than water was dripping from his helmet. He spit a small glob of dark stuff out onto the wet earth as he lifted his head to survey the battlefield. The plop of the datum among the raindrops was drowned out by the harrowing shower and frequent thunderclaps.

Through the periodic flashes of lightning illuminating the field SINN became aware of how bad things were. Granted, they had managed to kill a handful of viruses in their opening moments, but the cost to their own selves was quite grave. The rain hampered vision and SINN's fiery companion. The enemies continued to stack themselves against the duo. But a dent was a dent.

SINN wheeled around in fury and rushed the lone Swordy, stuck face-first in the mud. SINN's saber flared once more a brilliant, blinding white. Once more did his sword shine like a beacon, blazing in a brilliant silvery glory, as he charged. The dizzy virus, immobilized by the ever changing skirmish, was relatively defenseless. SINN pushed his front leg out as he closed on the virus, launching into a skid. As the knight slid passed, he swung his mighty blade, slashing through the air in a masterful stroke. The navi's frictionless slide bought him a few paces from his starting point. It seemed SINN planned on using the wet grass like ice, making him a relatively hard to hit moving target.

Spinning on his heels as he struck, he brought up his shield. He held his sturdy bulwark between the warrior and the Raingears as he continued to slide, now backwards. A golden aura erupted from his shield then, bathing his front arc in a bastion of defense. The rain scattered only briefly as his emblem also emblazoned outwards, trapping the navi in a bubble of energy. His shiny, armored body dulled as well. As if he was turned to stone. The glowing of his sword ceased as he brought the blade over his front in another layer of protection, ready to parry at a moments notice.

SINNBAD cut down the remaining Swordy as he slid past while a marching line of geysers blasted through the space he'd just occupied. He raised his Guard just in time to ward off an oncoming AquaTower, and the virus that had issued it was immediately struch with the return counter beam. The third virus missed SINNBAD entirely as the wave of water passed by harmlessly, obviously way off the mark. This gave the Navi time to raise the rest of his defenses. Time he clearly needed, as the two Gaia dropped their defenses to hammer the ground, sending forth Gaia Waves that battered down both his Barrier and Casing, but left him otherwise unhurt. The viruses restored their stony defense just after.

Lucia would have suffered a grimmer fate, had she not leaped into the sky just after healing herself. Her objective of landing upon the Remote Bit was somewhat successful. The rain-slicked surface of the Bit caused Lucia to begin to fall off, but she was already prepared for this. She grappled the Bit with her RageClaw, and managed to hold herself atop the now rising bit.

Lucia's strategy had paid off in an unexpected manner as she was presented with a sight she wouldn't have otherwise seen... Through the arches of the castle tower's windows, the fire Navi could see the glow of a Swordy-EX's blade as it prepared to strike at something. That specter-ish something dashed into view, blocked the Swordy's blade with a suddenly and briefly generated blade of light, and cut the damaged virus down with a second blade. It grabbed the Swordy's blade and ran ahead while its specter-ish glow faded quickly to nothing.

A flash burst from the windows as a beam of light lanced out from the end of the hallway, pushing a reeling Swordy-EX into view. It didn't reel there for long, however, as a sword identical to its own came whistling out of the doorway to strike and delete it. As virus and the previously borrowed sword vanished into deletion, a cloaked figure emitting a dim glow slid through the doorway. The glow had almost died again when it turned to face the Twisty. It was nearly shadow-like in appearance when it began to rush forward and the strange glow renewed itself. A blade of light stabbed out of the rustling, ghostly cloak as the specter prepared to deal with the Twisty in a permanent manner.

The Remote Bit continued to rise.... it was clear the Twisty was trying to defend itself, but the sad fact was the virus wasn't going to win the race against time and the onrushing foe. And this meant Bad Things for Lucia....

SINNBAD dropped his shield as it crumbled into dust before him. A trusted ally lost in the heat of combat. He only had a moment of reflection though before his attention was thrust back to the battle. The hovering monsters before him were strong and given the advantage due to the weather. Their attacks were devastating. SINN could not hope to outlast them forever.

SINN grasped his sword tightly in both hands, his hands turning white in his gloves. The water cascaded off his form and he shook his head to clear it for only a moment. Then he took off. The watery grass splashed out with each heavy footfall as he ran back towards the gate they came through, where the silent staring monolith waited. The warrior was beating a hasty retreat... or at least it looked like one.

As he neared the creature-posing-as-doorway from the right side of the battlefield, SINN suddenly spun on his heels to his left. He launched himself like a coiled spring and dipped into a roll. It was his hope that he would have tricked the Raingears into following him and unleashing their attacks where he used to be, causing the Dominerd to take the damage. The rain beat down upon the navi as he rolled, and the courtyard was still covered in soft grass, both of these elements gave SINN the environment he needed to complete the roll and stand up without any due stress on his form.

As he came out of the roll his sword wavered and began capturing the luster of the rain. The water flowed over the blade as if the saber itself was made of the element. The sword even rippled as the pitter, patter of rain struck it. SINN quickly set himself to spinning, the aquatic sword dripping and catching the wind, forming streamers that showed the rotation visually. As if he were a sprinkler head.

As SINN spun in relative-place, shifting slightly with each rotation to move him slightly across the field and give him momentum, one, then two slashes rent the air between the swordsman and the floating viruses. Waves of water sped outward from his blurred, spinning strikes, cascading across the air toward the bloated Raingears like ripples on a pond. One blade of water followed another, expanding as they approached, set on engulfing the virii in a tidal surge.

Lucia erked and played a little balancing act upon the floating bit in the pouring rain. Trying to cling to the thing so their plans for it wouldn't be lost, still her focus wanned when she saw the new fight going on inside the castle ground. Still she huffed and tried to jerk and tilt the bit around to get its next attack to fire straight towards the Dominerd turned doorway. At least until she saw the new cloaked figure's target. "No hey wait I'm.." Words stopped as she gave one last heave of the RemoteBit. "Damn it!" Checking one last time and murmuring faintly about hoping the strike would work she leapt from the bit and laid back in the sky, Faint swirl of air starting to sway and twist about her in funnel like motion as she dropped towards the battle below, her goal was obvious as the decent would send her right at the two stone guardians.

Still Operator watched on, missing the stranger in the castle completely, instead focused on a more immediate issue as two chips were sent to his navi.

First took its effect immediately as the fiery navi burst into fire bubble before she started phasing slightly from the physical world, her form draining of its color until she seemed nothing more than ghostly shadow remained behind as she finally landing before the two stone guardians of the fortress.

"Wait for their defense to drop then strike the weakest, we need to take these out before they destroy you both." As words were spoken faint blue glow appeared as the second chip was sent in, the orb slowly condensing as the orb became a wheel, then slowed to reveal rotation, only to come to sudden stop as navi reached out and took hold of the hilt of her new weapon. An icy blue short blade held down beneath hand as she braced low her new goal, waiting for the hammer to begin it's drop before she'd give the creature a fierce chilling slash.

Summary:
1. Tactical Movement + Airstep[Ability]: Try to aim RemoteBit towards Dominerd then leap off towards Gaia Viruses.
* Blaze Aura [Passive]: 20HP Barrier @ Self
2. Shadow1 [Battlechip]: Grants Shadow, 1 Turn Duration
3. Strategic Attack + Aquaknife [Battlechip]: Wait for Gaia to drop Stonebody then strike: 60 Aqua Damage + Slashing [5/6 uses Remaining]

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 88HP [20HP Barrier]
Fire's Embrace: Ready
Rageclaw1: Dismissed
Aquaknife: 5 Uses Remaining

As Lucia watches, the ghostly being rushes forward to strike the Twisty virus... And suddenly stops, glowing blade poised to strike. It stood there for a moment while Lucia did her best to tilt the remote bit. She managed to pull it off, but was disappointed when it refused to fire a thunderbolt. The Twisty was obviously saving that next bolt for the foe before it. Not that the virus' race to save itself or Lucia's efforts mattered one bit in this case as the Dominerd suddenly appeared between it and the glowing apparition, and blocked Lucia's view of the apparition. The fire Navi then leaped off of the RemoteBit and drew her AquaKmife a few moments before the RemoteBit disintegrated behind her. The Dominerd hadn't succeeded in defending its charge this time.

SINNBAD, meanwhile, got moving as the viruses began attacking him once again. He dropped his shield, and stepped out of the way of an oncoming AquaTower while simultaneously avoiding a sudden wall of water that burst from the ground where he had just been standing. SINNBAD retaliated with a water cutter style WideShot attack at the first RainGear he saw, and deleted it while damaging the nearby Gaia with its defenses down.

The Gaia was about to drop the hammer on SINNBAD when Lucia dropped out of the air and proceeded to drop the virus with a finishing strike. The Gaia disintegrated into deletion as its partner slammed the ground and unleashed a Gaia Wave attack. The ground quake destroyed Lucia's barrier. but did not affect the currently airborne SINNBAD. The Knightly Navi's next attack came out immediately after his first, and struck the two remaining RainGears as Lucia faded into Shadow form. The remaining RainGear raised a wall of water for SINNBAD to land in following his attack, damaging the Navi yet again.

The Dominerd did not return. Miserably drenched as this stormy battle was, perhaps things were looking up at last?

SINNBAD landed and kept on the move, racing across the field as fast as he could. He zigged and zagged as he reached to his belt pouch to remove some bandages. Using his hands he tore strips off and bound the wounds on his waist as best he could while on the move. He even had to hold onto a bandage strip with his teeth in order to tourniquet one of his arms. Needless to say he grimaced in a manly manner with each tightening and huffed with each footfall.

After he got some of his wounds bound, he probably ended up aggravating his condition when he launched himself into another roll. This time he was running along the side of the inner court's walls. He tumbled for a few feet before sliding to his feet again. His breathing was heavy and the rain continued to beat down upon him as he ran. Reaching to his belt again he pulled out another tiny vial of healing liquid. He threw his head back as he ran, gulping down the drought in a single swig... Which caused him to choke and sputter as he continued to hoof it, slightly slowing him down.

Lucia took the chance to glance down at that icy blue hued dagger in hand and gave a slight grin as the virus turned to digital dust. "Oh I like this."

"Lucia, give SINNBAD some help then take out this last statue, hurry before the Dominerd returns."

Lucia gave a nod as the chip data her operator was downloaded, quickly exchanging the dagger in hands as the ghostly twin barrels appeared and she took the chance to take aim and send the scattered twin blasts towards the last of the raingears.

Seconds later her form started to slowly draw itself back into the digital world completely as her color returned, the effects of her shadowy chip fading as the navi spun on toes to face down the stone beast before her. Once more her icy knife changed hands as she waited for that beast to prepare its own assault. With it navi charged forward, bringing sweeping slash against her foe, only to draw around and give quick flip of the blade to try and thrust it into the monster as a finishing blow. As the last of her attacks peeked the navi burst into flames, letting the fires around her erupt and incase her in the protective bubble once again.

Summary:
1. Shotgun [Battlechip] 50 Null Damage + Spread 1 @ Raingear C & D
2-3. Wait for Gaia's Stonebody to drop before giving quick Aquaknife combo attack [Battlechip] 60 Aqua + Slashing x2 @ Gaia B [4/6 and 3/6 uses Remaining]

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 79HP [20HP Barrier]
Aquaknife: 3 Uses Remaining

While SINNBAD administered First Aid to himself, he somehow managed to make himself an obnoxiously evasive target. The Raingears trying to finish him off never manage to land a hit, and are blasted into deletion for their troubles by an unseen Lucia. The shadowed Navi makes the best of her advantage, and gets in close to the Gaia. The virus responds by trying to mash her into a pancake with its giant hammer. The blow passes harmlessly through the barely visible Navi, who quickly counters and delivers a double jab with her AquaKnife. The Gaia, caught with its defenses down, is deleted without fuss or bother.

The rain, however, still seems to affect the fire Navi even in her shadowed form. Still... a victory is a victory, and the castle gate appears to be unlocked. A haven from the rain would be nice, wouldn't it?

"Quickly Lady Lucia, we must make haste before more brigands descend upon us in this water-driven storm."

SINNBAD said as he rushed toward the inner gates, now devoid of guardians. The rain pelted against his armored coat as he ran. He crashed into the gates at full force, tackling it with his shoulder, and continued to push to try to open it.

Lucia blinked at the sudden rush of her warrior friend, starting to speak just to get cut off and quickly agreed.

"Ah, right, inside first!"

The fiery little navi would do what she could to help, heaving and pushing at the door to get inside quickly.

Ding.

The PET chimed, drawing Destin's attention. He had spent the last hour working on data problems. He had been oblivious to the entire adventure to date, transfixed upon creating a fire-proof poncho, drawing up a list of upgrades and things to do, then selling battlechips on the ACDC Net, etc. Even the sound of the battles in the background were not enough to draw his attention, muted by the noise of heavy rainfall, and his own lowering of the volume controls. But an application window was not tied to Net volume.

Pausing his own work so that he could look at the pop-up, he noticed an odd string of letters and numbers.

SW50ZXJhY3Rpb24gd2l0aCBMdWNpYS5FWEUgaGFzIGFjaGlldmVkIGEgU291bENyb3NzLiBEbyB5b3Ugd2lzaCB0byByZWdpc3RlciBhIFNvdWxDcm9zcyB3aXRoIEx1Y2lhLkVYRT8gWWVzL05vLg==

It was listed in the Base64 program that Destin used for his decoding system. Immediately he went about bringing up the translating program.

~Decoding... Please Wait...~

...

...

~Done. Message Reads:~

Interaction with Lucia.EXE has achieved a SoulCross. Do you wish to register a SoulCross with Lucia.EXE? Yes/No.

~Message Ends. Awaiting input.~

And with that two icons appeared on the screen side by side. Giant buttons that stated 'YES' and 'NO' in large white letters on black rectangles. Destin stared at the screen for a moment. Then read the statement again. And once more for good measure.

Which required him to dive into his desk drawer and pull out a large, softcover tome. This book was a helpful manual/strategy guide/cheat sheet/all-encompassing guidebook that Destin had picked up in town about Operators and Net Navigators. This was one of the things that had helped Destin in his efforts at reprogramming SINNBAD, and accounted for most of Destin's general knowledge.

After looking for a few minutes, and checking the index, he finally happened upon the information about Navi friendships and the so-called 'SoulCross'. In essence, the SoulCross was an activated modification on a Navi that incorporated data absorbed through interaction with another Navi. Apparently there was some sort of bleed-through effect in the exchanging of information between two Navis, but the technical explanation listed in the book was a little to heavy for Destin to completely fathom.

Nevertheless, it seemed as if there was little side effect from risking a SoulCross, and there were added benefits. In this case, an increase in the potency of fire chips while Crossed. So Destin eventually hit 'YES'.

The window disappeared and was replaced by a scrolling bar that was filling up, listing percentage completed. It must have been the progress bar for the SoulCross installation program. Once it completely filled up, the bar disappeared and showed, 'LUCIA.EXE SOULCROSS INSTALLATION COMPLETE'. And that was that.

~Back in the Net.~

Bang...

Bang...

Bang...

SINNBAD continued to smash himself into the heavy doors of the inner keep as the rain continued its downbeat on the pair. The unceasing elements, and the threat of viruses lurking about, increased the two navis' desperation to be somewhere dry and out of the open. As such, SINN hurled his heavy bulk at the doors like a battering ram.

Bang...

Bang...

Bang...

The doors were solid and well-built. The weathering they had taken from time and viral infestation was surprisingly minimal, either due to their construction, or the possibility that the viruses kept them maintained. Whatever the case, they held fast as SINN threw himself against them. Again and again. Grunting each time from the impact and the accumulating exertion. But he kept at it like a true soldier. If at first you don't succeed...

Bang...

Bang...

Bang...

SINNBAD body slammed the old, apparently rusted gate until the hinges groaned and the large wooden doors finally swung open. The two Navis spilled through the door, and found themselves in a large entrance hall that was far longer than it was wide. The hall featured a ceiling that must be at least 3 stories high, but the light from the four large hanging lanterns and the pair of free-standing candles at the end of the hall did not allow them to see it. A worn and weathered red carpet stretched out before them between two rows of evenly spaced rounded stone pillars that were each easily wider than a Navi was tall. In spite of being carpeted, every step either of the Navis took echoed, resoundingly in SINNBAD's case, amid the background sounds of the pouring rain and thunder from outside.

It was terribly difficult to see much beyond the carpeted area, and all but impossible to see anything that may have stood in the shadows of the massive stone pillars. From what the Navis could tell, though, there were what appeared to be numerous unlit torches hanging from the sides of the stone pillars in rings of eight, possibly more. What little of the floor beyond the carpet that could be seen between the deep shadows cast by the poor lighting revealed it to be simple, smooth stone. There were unfortunate signs of decay in the form of sagging tiles, cracked stone panels, and even vague signs that there were large holes in the floor somewhere out in the gloom.

Off to the left along the wall a fair distance ahead was a spot on the wall, vaguely arch-shaped, that remained utterly dark in spite of standing within one of the dimly lit regions between the pillars. It was most likely a doorway, but there didn't appear to be a door there... A fact proven when a flash of lightning shone through the archway. A glance at the wall opposite this revealed another archway, only this one sported the heavy wooden doors the other mysteriously lacked.

There was a collapsed doorway at the end of the hall between the two free-standing candle holders. There did appear to be the ruins of stairs that should have led to an upper balcony, but it was clear even in the terrible light that they had long ago collapsed, as had the balcony above.... it was blocking the door after all. The gold-trimmed red carpet that covered the floor between the pillars leading up to this dead end, in addition to being weathered and worn, was ripped, torn, and curiously scorched in spots.

The reason for those scorched spots became very clear a moment later when the light from the hanging lanterns seemed to shift downwards suddenly. A moment later and the lanterns fell to the floor in a staggered line along the red carpet before them. They revealed themselves to be not lanterns, but red flaming analogues of the floating iron-clad aqua viruses the two had encountered not minutes before in the courtyard. A creepy high pitched shriek of mad laughter from the end of the hallway heralded the arrival of no less than eight ghostly figures, each emerging from one of the flanking stone pillars...

To make matters worse, the source of the psychotic laughter was none other then the candles at the far end of the hallway. They too were viruses. And standing between them and the two Navigators were no less than four advanced parties of ghastly and infernal viruses.

....at least the hall was dry.

x8 x4 x2

... At least the hall was dry.

And ready to become kindling. For before the two navi were four identical rows of viruses, comprised of two ghostly apparitions and a fiery version of the rain viruses that had been fought outside. Each group was situated between a pair of solid stone columns, floating over an elegant, yet damaged, carpet. In the far left corner, supported by ornate candleholders on either side of a broken doorway, sat a pair of smirking wax devils chuckling evilly.

And the two warriors only had a moment to take in the situation before SINN turned slightly towards Lucia and gave a nod, bringing down his visor with his right hand. His hand turned sideways as he put down the visor, his pinky finger stretched out and pointed toward the right side. After making this partially-concealed gesture for Lucia to take the right, as he was on the left side of the pair, he turned toward the viruses.

In a flash, SINN had clenched that gauntleted hand into a fist, and brought it down onto the floor with a resounding thunderclap. The kinetic energy released shook the floor and rippled the carpet as the force tore through the left side under the virus horde, flinging scorched fabric and stone all over the place. The wave of deadly energy and shrapnel was probably just strong enough to take out some of the weaker apparitions, lined up as they were.

Right after striking the ground, and without watching the ensuing damage, the knight had bolted toward the front-left most pillar.

Slipping behind the pillar, hopefully fast enough in his actions that the enemy had little time to react, gave him a defensible position. Putting the pillar between himself and the potentially fractured enemy forces, slightly at an angle, he quickly ran through potential strategies. The distraction he had just unleashed to give himself and Lucia a moment was only temporary. And since he had already faced the Spooks, he knew that they would be unhindered by the blocking terrain, passing right through the pillars as if they were made of smoke. SINN's turned around and leaned his back to the pillar, in case they tried to come at him from behind.

And then there were the flaming clouds. They could do a lot of damage if they got a clear shot. SINN would just have to keep the columns between them. But who knew how long that would keep him safe.

He grimaced a little as he felt a shaking thump on the pillar. The knight reached into his belt and pulled out another flask of clear liquid. He gulped it down and felt his body numbing. The elixir helped a little to alleviate the pain from his earlier injuries, which had resurfaced now that the rain wasn't distracting him. But it would dull his thoughts also.

Think... Yes, there were also haunted candles. Who knew what kind of surprises they would throw out, how much of a potential thorn to be dealt with. But as durable and disturbing as the candles appeared to be at first glance, the candle holders looked rusted and weakened. Perhaps knocking them from their perch would help.

But before that...

SINN held out both of his hands and clenched an invisible handle. A leather-wrapped hilt then suddenly materialized from his hands and stretched outward. A cross-guard and then a three-and-a-half foot blade formed out of the air, gleaming with caught lightning flashes and ghostly light. The silvery glow flickered as the knight brought up the blade before him, parallel to his armored form, tip to the ceiling.

He turned it sideways for a moment, so the edges were pointing toward and away from him. And waited.

His muscles tensed as he waited for an opponent to attempt to outflank him. If one of those ghosts tried to get around or through the pillar, he would be ready for them. His sword arm was strong and quick. The enemy would not know what hit them.

Lucia's first reaction to setting foot inside was that of a thrilled sigh as she was finally free of that horrible storm that was eating away at her since their arrival. Letting out long breath the navi pulled herself up and perked right up as those flames about her returned to their former glory and shine. "Ah, finally I'm out of that water!" Still she'd blink curiously when she saw the new army of viruses reveal themselves, tilting her head slightly. "Ghosts? Their adorable!!"

Navi would have approached but signal from her knightly partner stopped her, that and the sudden eruption of panels as his attack was launched and started the battle off with a blast. "Lucia, follow that, you'll be fine, get to the back wave and strike from there. Try to split up those candles while you're at it."

"Right then! Charge!" Navi would finally take that step forward, charging after that line of destruction, though right from her first footfall her form started to fade, darkening until only a deep shadowy presence remained. Showing actions as this new ghost rushed forward through the ranks of enemies seamlessly.

Deeper she went on, her goal in sight as from the shadow a deep blue blade seemed to appear from the shadowy form. Giving fierce swipe at a burning beast in her passing. With no hesitation navi swept arm across, and burst of air blasted forth, swirling through the entry hall towards its target, where it would burst and knock one of those candles to the right, hopefully splitting them up.

Summary:
1. Shadow1 [Battlechip] Gain Shadow for 1 Turn.
2. Tactical Movement: Run through enemy ranks towards the last group and candles.
3. Aquaknife [Battlechip] 60 Aqua Damage[x2 due to type] + Slashing @ Volgear D [5/6 Remaining]
* Gust [Ability] 1 Instance of Knockback @ Candle Holder A [Trying to knock it to the right and separate the two]

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 70HP [Shadow]
Aquaknife: 5 of 6 Uses Remaining

Just after SINNBAD unleashed his Shockwave attack, he dashed to take cover behind the nearest pillar. As he did so, his companion Lucia faded into shadow and rushed through where he'd been standing as she charged forward in the wake of the Shockwave. The first Spooky was hit almost immediately, and the second was too slow to respond to save itself from the oncoming attack. The third teleported away just in time while the fourth vanished with ample time to spare.

A marching line of erupting towers of flame burned through the space SINNBAD had occupied previously while the Navi healed himself behind the shelter of the stone pillar. A spooky teleported in next to him, but it was immediately slain by the Navi's blade for its trouble. A second appeared next to SINNBAD, and licked at the Navi with an acid coated tongue that ate at his right pauldron, and damaged him. The ghost then giggled at him as if it found that to be funny just before a firewall burst from the floor beneath SINNBAD as the lead Volgear reacquired its target.

A couple of the Spookies tried to teleport in around Lucia to attack her, but failed to do any damage to the shadowed Navi. One made the mistake of teleporting before her and was taken out by the Shockwave. Flames suddenly erupted around Lucia again and again, obscuring everything in a sea of flame as she continued onward. Something appeared in the flames before her, and the Navi stabbed it with a steaming aquaknife without thinking. The squat form, most likely a Volgear, disintegrated immediately.

The flames died down to reveal that Lucia had indeed made it to the last row. The HauntedCandle facing her laughed like a madman as it stared creepily at her... that is until Lucia blasted it with a crosswind. The virus stopped laughing and closed its mouth with a surprised and dumbfounded look as the gust of wind blew it over and snuffed its candle. The fight seemed to leave the virus, as it just laid there upon its side, docile and quiet. The other? Not so much. It shrieked at Lucia, and a raging inferno engulfed the Navi. It didn't do any damage thanks to her shadow form, but it was clear the virus would incinerate her the moment it got the chance.

Scorched and acid licked the knight grunted as he brought his saber around for another swing. One of the ghosts were close, within reach of his blade. SINN slashed across his damaged and partially melted front. His blade sang as it cut through the air. Due to the immaterial nature of the apparitions, the warrior navi would never feel the his sword bite. He just had to trust that his skills were fast and accurate enough to see him through the strike.

He then turned to his left and rushed out of cover. Since Lucia went through the middle, instead of around the right side, the right side was unguarded. So he was soon facing towards the right side set of pillars, well within view of the middle of the room. He spotted the front-most Volgear hovering only a scant few feet from him. Weaving to his left, then his right, he charged the virus. His sword stuck out in front of him like a spear, tip gleaming. He thrusted the point of his blade at the heart of the creature, hoping to stake the flaming cloud. Then he dragged the edge upward, tearing and shredding at whatever bit.

Freeing his steel after the attack, he jumped backwards and rolled behind the first pillar on the right side of the room. His dervish dance finished. Now he was in a similar position as before, but on the other side of the room.

Lucia couldn't help but laugh at the various tongues that tried to give her a lashing as she charged through them harmlessly thanks to her own ghostly form. Then the flames that burst up around her, but she seemed to just shrug those away, for one they were harmless, and two she was born of fire, she saw no reasons yet to fear it.

That laughing candle however caught her focus as she glared at the candle top. Glaring back at it as her form started to return to its true nature, and beyond as she let out a growled manically laugh of her own. Bursting into brilliant flames, its warmth helping to sooth her former wounds as it gave thin sphere of flames about her to safeguard as well. "See! you're not the only one that can laugh all evil like! Hah!" With taunt came burst of heated wind as she tried to repeat her previous success and blast that evil candle to snuff it out like its partner.

After navi spun round about to face down the army she'd just charged through, giving quick switch of hands with that aquatic blade as she drops to one knee. Her actions seemed to be clear to operator beyond as Vincent snapped chip into place just in time for her bare hand to slap down to the carpet and stone floor beneath. Flexing her fingers as sparks started to fly from slender digits and soon the charge started to course and spread throughout the floor, sending that ground bound lightning throughout the entry hall.

Soon after Lucia gave firm kick off, skipping across panels towards the pillars, trying to avoid any trouble that may be coming her way.

Summary:
1. Fire's Embrace [Signature] 30hp Heal @ Self
* Blaze Aura [Passive] 20hp Barrier @ Self
* Gust [Ability] Knockback @ HauntedCandle B
2. ElecReel1 [Battlechip] 80 Elec Damage + Ground Attack @ Virus Groups
3. Dodge

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 70hp [20hp Barrier][+30hp heal]
Aquaknife: 5 of 6 Uses Remaining

As Lucia's form reverted back to normal, she healed herself while laughing menacingly at the HauntedCandle. The virus, clearly provoked into action, began laughing like a maniac as it flared up and tried to incinerate the Navi once again. It failed to do so, as Lucia's hastily raised barrier saved her from what would have been a very punishing attack. She followed up the virii's counter with another gust of wind that blew out the candle flame, and toppled the virus over.

SINNBAD, meanwhile, slew the Spooky that had seen fit to laugh at him after damaging his armor. The knightly Navi then dashed out from behind the pillar and dashed for the cauldron-like Volgear as the place he'd just occupied a moment before erupted into a pillar of flame. SINNBAD stabbed the virus with a thrust of his sword, and deleted it instantly before bolting for cover behind the pillar opposite the one he'd abandoned. It was a good thing too, as a blast of lightning flashed through the hallway where he'd just been standing. The beam of electricity laid waste to every last virus between where he'd been standing and where Lucia now stood. The pillar behind him spared him from being fried as well.

The only remaining viruses were a pair of completely incapacitated HauntedCandles that slumped in half melted silence upon the floor. Unfortunately, aside from the occasional flash of lightning, SINNBAD's woefully inadequate glowing sword, and the torch-like flames of Lucia, there was no lighting anywhere in the hall now. It was very hard to see much at all.

SINN's hair stood on end under his helmet as the air was charged in the explosion that deleted most of the remaining viruses. Then all was dark.

"Lady Lucia are you all right?"

SINNBAD inquired as he groped his hand around the pillar, using it as a guide to face toward the back of the room. He peered through the gloom and smoking corpses. He saw Lucia ready to deal the death blow against the two candles.

"The Lady may have the honor."

He said before he put his other hand to his chest and closed his eyes. A faint glow outlined itself around his palm as his mouth formed whispered words. The boiled plates in his armor regressed, pieces flowing uphill like fish swimming against the currents. His wounds began to close and scab over. The metal in his armor reforged in front of one's eyes.

He had let down his guard, his faith in his partner strong.