As the Kitsune took the Living Tar away to rest amidst the castle, someone would watch over. The Bandaged Man loomed amidst its walls, seeing the children and those around to prepare. A smile was on his face, for he knew they were not the only ones who are gathering their own intel. A quick tap to his head, a contact to the other side of Calibren, where the King of Orochi is approaching. "Yo. Taro. Showtime. The folks are getting themselves ready. I'd say you got full clearance to enter in while they're occupied." A direct order, though only a snicker would be his response. "Hm? Something up?"
"Nah, nah, nah. Already en route. It's just that... Okay, its a bit immature on my end-"
"Just get it out, will yah? Crimsoñia is awaiting her own orders on the front gate to cause a scene."
"No, no, that's the thing! She's already fighting over there!"
Immediately, Khonum became alerted, his eyes widening underneath such bandages as he'd get up. "ALREADY!? Where!?!?"
"One of the Wonders already scouted her out! She's going on a wreck against those guys! We even made bets to see if she can solo them all without any assistance! Her son is already making his way deeper into the gate to buy time-"
"Going in."
"WH- WAIT NO! THAT'S MY BET ON THE LINE! I PUT 500 GOLD ON-"
Click.
Taro's words went silent as the Bandaged Man hung up, rushing across the walls to validate his words. Sure enough, the iron stench of blood and wine mingled served as such confirmation, as the Vampiress would be hiding amongst the shadows, biding her time, using her alcohol to waste down the members one by one. No matter if she was snuck up by the Doormouse's hail of bullets, or pincered by the squatted siblings, or even forced in a single battle by the White Rabbit, none of them were making a direct hit. Hiccups and slurred movement would have them stumble, struggling to keep themselves awake, let alone function. All that was left was the Hatter, of which he'd try to cast a style of magic through his hat.
Reaching in and pulling out, he was able to bring out a weapon, one that exuded energy unmatched by the rest. A Hatchet with a heart for its hilt, a sharp blade that already casted its style upon Bathory's neck, dotted lines ready to cleave her head off. Right as he was about to swat it down in one swipe, Khonum lowered himself down and sent out his bandages, binding around the blade. "Cutting Magic, I see? Had it been from your hands rather than your hatchet, it could've posed a problem." The Hatter couldn't even react in time to the newcomer as he'd pull the blade away, prying it out from his hands. A quick grasp and a quick slash, the dotted lines now came down upon the Hatter's back.
SHIKK!!
Splayed wide open, blood pouring down, as the Bandaged Man made another slash, now aiming for his spine. Crippled away, the only thing left for the Hatter is to crawl over to Bathory, a futile effort to try and continue the fight, to try and support the rest of the Wonders. "Strange... that usually kills people." He'd question, as he'd toss the hatchet into the Hatter's head, hoping such a deep wound is enough to keep him down.
"I take it you've gotten the information already?" Bathory asked, as she'd maneuver around the wonders in their drunken stupor, umbrella at her helm, as she'd walk beside Opolis towards the entrance.
"Merely the factor of where the Man in the Mountain is. I have a Target on my back, though, so any support could be useful."
"My son has already gotten his directions. Once he sends out his straws, we can buy you time and send you some of Orochi's finest to sneak by and wake the Mountain. I doubt he has an answer to those with a strong resistance against one of his bullets, and I'm pretty sure you already have a plan against his contracted ones, correct?"
"So long as Envy abides by our directions, we should be fine. Taro's apparently placed a bet on you defeating the Wonders, by the way."
"YEAH! AND YOU RUINED IT!!" A disgruntled voice shouted, as two piercing eyes were met between the two. They looked back to see a beast within the flora, a Dragon in a plague-like symbol for wings, poisoned fangs and claws, its hide minimal, with open holes that spreads its pathogen. "500 WAS WASTED BECAUSE OF YOU, KHONUM!! YOU OWE ME!!!" Pissed, but still flying ahead to start his own turn for the war.
The two looked at each other in silence as he said such words, with the Bandaged Man pushing open the door. "You'll back me up in making sure I don't pay, right?" He'd ask.
"I dunnoooo... You DID ruined the bet~."
"You were going to die if I didn't intervene."
"By a chop to the neck? Don't be ridiculous!" A hearty laugh as she'd allow the blood to flood the floors in conjunction with the sickness in the air. The Explorer can't help but show small signs of regret as he realize they will hang his head over such intrusions. As they invaded, the citizens within Calibren began to be infected with such a virus, their body slowing down, their cells breaking down. Screams of agony were heard as the arms and legs began to split, slowly melting them, a sludge-like state that doesn't kill, but merely wounds and renders them unable to fight back with proper magic, less the energy overrides their bodies and destroys them from the inside out. The Flood of blood would also ensure they were forced to move, making such splits happen in a gradual pace, only the hollowed and hallowed screams from the populace being their only chance to signal, to believe in the Wonders to save them from such pain. Alas, such cries never respond, only met with their tongues infected and choking their throats, suffocating by their own voice.
The War has now Begun. No time was left to give them mercy. It's do or die.