>Youmu: If the monk is not paying proper attention to us, let's have a moment to see if pride is really as important to her as our first encounter suggests. Pour on all the speed we can muster, and cut off as much of her hair as possible. Just so she can know that, symbolically, we have taken her head.
>Marisa: Can we tell what that orb that Kanako is brewing up will do?
> Youmu> Your strategy has lulled your opponent into a false sense of security, and, choosing your moment, you strike.
> As the Monk gathers herself for another attack, you slip past her, merely a flicker of movement in her peripheral vision and, with a speed unrivaled in all the land, you draw your sword and slice in a single motion.
> Time seems to stand still as a lock of hair, no longer bound to its owner, floats motionlessly in the air.
> The Monk, her body moving before her mind has realised, executes a near-impossible dodge against your near-perfect attack. A single drop of blood slowly crawls its way along your blade, a matching thin red line welling up on a cut on the Monk's shoulder.
> For a brief moment the Monk's eyes glow with the deep gold of the dawning sun, and she leaps, muscles tensed, to attack you.
> Marisa> That is some high evocation she's powering up. While it is a simple matter to gather one's magic for a direct offensive blast, the amount of control that she's got going is really impressive.
> You hear Kanako's chant develop a repeating musical line and, with almost an audible fanfare, her chant turns to song.
>Marisa: Work with Yuugi to pick up the pint-sized hellion and hurl her into the goddesses.
>Akyu: How far have we gotten? Any pursuers?
> You seize the moment when Suika's busy beating an Oni with another Oni to blast your way into her, use your momentum to turn your vice-like grab into a spin and, picking the right time, you let go.
> Suika shoots like a bullet, laughing all the while, into the Goddesses.
> Suwako braces herself and, with superb timing, interposes herself between Suika and Kanako. The impact is like that of a peal of thunder, sending Suika and Suwako flying in opposite directions. Both recover from the impact, the little Oni adjusting her parabolic arc to send herself into the mass of Oni, and Suwako quickly resumes her defensive position.
> Kanako's song, militant and aggressive, adjusts to a gentler tone and her orb reduces in size slightly. You see Suwako looking visibly refreshed.
> Akyu> You're making your way slowly. It will be a while before you are even in sight of your destination.
> While there are no immediate pursuers, all attackers having been occupied in some way or other, the entire ball of non-violent violence keeps pace with you.
