"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, HOLD ON A SECOND! WHEN DID YOU GET THAT!? I THOUGHT THAT'S STUCK IN THE MUSEUM!!" Harvard would be the first to speak up, catching Cupid's attention.
"Oh? An Oaking resident? Bit of a rarity in these parts. To answer your question, I simply worked an agreement to utilize the Artifact as training equipment for Shoka's magic. We will return it eventually, but as of now, it is currently under our custody." Cupid answered, as he'd back away for the Caravan to break apart, a behemoth rising out from the wreckage. Its shadow blanketed everyone around, its size enough to sweep the forest path in a second. Stitching across its joints and segments, the rotten smell of flesh reeking out of it, prompting Solomon to cast Garden of Eden to change it into a more pleasant fragrance if they wish to keep watching. Its bones were protruding and visible, its maw chiseled to perfection. Rags were made around its arms, acting as personal guards to protect itself, as well as a hood to cover its head. Its eyes were removed, as well as its nose, as it let out a bellowed roar and tried to charge forward for the first strike, a heavy slam at the ground to crush the woman underneath its weight.
Fortunately, Tsukiya was quick on her feet to bounce away and avoid the attack, yet the massive giant persisted. Tree after tree, she'd hop around, using it as a platform to go further out, hiding amongst the foliage as much as she can, yipping to signal the monster so it could swing again and again. She'd try to see if she could weave the beast towards Ji-Mon instead, hiding behind the Necromancer, holding him by his arms so that he wouldn't be able to break out. As the behemoth found her, it immediately tries to go for a hit, forcing the Necromancer to take action. "HALT!! AIM FOR THE FOX GIRL SPECIFICALLY! BREAK ME OUT, FRANKEN!" He'd demand, his energy being visible, as the Beast would follow his orders and try to do a massive chop instead of a meaty punch, a way to sever the two away and swat Tsukiya deeper into the forest.
WHAM!!!
The hit connects, her body sent flying, yet she was unfazed by the attack, more so excited at flying in the air than anything else. Envy was able to catch how his magic was functioning, seeing him insert the candle on his shoulder and lower it, storing it in his own body, as he'd allow the giant to rampage through and swing wildly. "So that's how the magic works..." He'd mumble to himself. The children would turn their attention to the Tar Man, trying to learn what he knows, until Tsukiya would be seen once more, running across the trees and leading the giant back towards the open area. As she allowed the behemoth to trail, Ji-Mon noticed that it wasn't going to notice him, most likely having him dodge prematurely in order to try and not being caught in its crossfire. The Fox Woman, however, was keeping a close eye, moving herself to constantly be on top of Ji-Mon, allowing the beast to give chase and prevent him from escaping his own wrath.
"FRANKEN!! JUMP OVER!!!" Another order, another light emanating from his body, as the beast followed his directions, leaping over and aiming for a drop kick to send Tsukiya across the entire circle, her cheers audible as she was launched away. The boys would figure out exactly what Envy meant once such light came.
"Okay...The Zombie Magic allows him to control 'Franken' whenever he gets in trouble. How come he isn't glowing the entire time, though? Is this a passive sort of thing?" Solomon asked, to which Harvard shook his head.
"Nope. That's what the Black Candle's for. Me and Zazel saw what it does firsthand: Long as the wick's alight, the Zombie cannot go down in any manner. Sure you can rip it to shreds or burn it alive, but the Candle's basically its new heart and soul. Nothing's gonna happen unless she puts it out." As Harvard explained his experience, Solomon's eyes would widen a bit.
"So you're saying that Tsukiya has no way to hurt the giant thing? She would have to hit Ji-Mon instead??"
"Pretty much. Doesn't help that Necro Guy there is hiding the Candle now. Seems even he knew what its weakness was."
"Excellent observation." Cupid would interrupt, as he'd be quick in going through the wreckage of the Caravan to take a small cup of tea, the chinaware somehow not broken. "Alas, he's already failed a few key things in this bout." The children would be confused, as they tried to look at the fight again to see what he messed up on. So far, in their eyes, he was doing super well, keeping a good distance while preserving his energy to attack the woman without a chance of an opening. As they watched, they noticed that something was hidden in the leaves from the trees.
A Paper Doll.
As Ji-Mon tried to catch his breath, letting him relax and regain his energy, he, too, would notice the paper dolls. His talisman shifted, its top curved, acting as his brow, as he pondered when did such dolls get there. He tried to reach for it, but as he did, the slightest touch caused it to rip slightly. In that moment..
KRACC!!!
She appeared once more, a Drop Kick straight into his face, pinning him onto the ground, the momentum dragging his body across, cuts across his body, his clothes slightly torn, as she'd hop off, her eyes still bright, yet her smile darkened. "His overreliance on the Black Candle is costing him. Using something on Autopilot means it won't notice the finer details, only the main objective. To most opponents, those details wouldn't matter. To Tsukiya, however, who's method of winning consists of trickery, it becomes a weakness. Not to mention that he's playing safe with Franken, trying to not be damaged by his own hand. Had he took a risk while he was held hostage, he could've dealt a finishing blow much faster than usual." Cupid's words were blunt, yet informative. He watched his pupil struggle to get up, the talisman on his face split in half, now showing his mouth, as well as the adhesive's residue littered all over. He'd grunt as he'd try to channel his energy again, ready to control Franken once more.
"So you're his teacher, huh? Never thought I'd see one of them take an interest in fighting for a war..." Stolas asked.
"Why, of course! The field of magic comes quickly when practice acts as a personal measurement. I suppose you boys want to learn about what the Princess has then, correct?" The children nodded their heads to Cupid's question. "Very well. She possess a style known as Monster Magic. More specifically..."
"Yokai."