"Bog Uberhang!" She floated in the air on a bubble of murky dirty water, the roots from the newly formed giant mangroves began to writhe like snakes and shoot their way towards Noir!
Noir burst forth, and hopped onto the two foot wide root that shattered the former cave floor! Debris shooting into the air as the Chef continued his path up to Witch!
She whipped a hand towards Noir, attempting to control another branch to pierce Noir, but he leapt up and then kicked off the air and slammed a flying kick into the side of her face.
Dezzi was already on the move as they too were splashing quickly through the water and making quick gymnastic leaps from branch to branch! "Shock Blur!" Zipping across the distance as Hilda was stunned gave a swipe with their left arm and coming to a stop on the other side from Noir, breaking and skidding the water apart like quickly swiping a stick across the surface of water
"Now Kirk!" Dezzi yelled!
With quick foot falls, Kirk came to a stop and spun his nephobo around. At the tip a dark rumbling cloud began to form, growing larger and larger as he swung the staff! The cloud shooting forward and planting itself above Hilda!
"Atmo! Grand Toriential Lightning Hurricane!!" Hilda looked up! The hair moving out of the way to show the hollow baggy eyes beneath the tendrils of hair!
"Schutz der Mangroven!" She waved her arms up above her, wrist crossing over one another, the thunder rumbled within the cloud! With milliseconds left, huge roots of the mangroves around that were coated in thick viscous dirty swamp water formed a twisting and intertwining!
Then, from the cloud above a lighting bolt that was a meter wide shot down and slammed into the overgrowth! It shattered in an instant from being burnt and then slamming into Hilda! The bolt of weather energy slammed the witch into the ground and caused a crater to form as the Hurricane came next! Grinding and rending the witch into the ground like a drill!
"Grah!" He was forcing his staff down, and then whipped it in a follow through, causing the Hurricane to dissipate and explode!
"Haff…Haff…Haff…" Kirk and Dezzi panted as Noir stood to his feet. "Are they?" Leroy asked as he leaned on the metal platform
"Seems like it." Noir said, Kale walking up behind the chef as he sheathed his swords.
The dust was beginning to settle. Hilda was in the crater, limbs spread out. Her flesh scorched, smoke rising from her body
"I don't think we should stick around." Kirk said, collapsing his staff and tucking it on the side of his hip where the small rectangular pouch sat
"Yeah. Lets get out of here…" Leroy said, the crew quickly moving out of the destroyed cave
They moved from the Deep Forest Deep within Hard Rock, and all around them the forest began to shift and transform from a thick bramble of trees and branches into a sparse collection of wood and then into a single vague path that led straight.
It was another 20 minutes, crossing 10 km into the Island. And were interrupted by a 'Bullnorse' A rare animal that resembled a bull in the back half, hand had the legs of a horse in the front and the horns and head of a rhino. It had been demonized into a creature with a hollow head and large plate like horns like the Demons of the Sonorous pirates ship.
It was easy to deal with. Jeanne delivered a quick shot between the armored plating and put the creature back to rest.
It was shortly after that encounter that the Crew was met with their next major roadblock.
In front of them was what looked to be a large lake. It had to be over a kilometer wide, and was entirely artificial. A stone wall served as a railing, a few spots around it that were shacks with fishing supplies and the like
On the edge of the stone wall, was a man sitting there. Hunched over with his legs dangling. He wore a dark trench coat. A wide brim flat hat hid his head. It was clear however, that his hair was a deep dark mix of black and brown. His hands were in front of him, hiding whatever he was clearly messing with.
"So do we take him out quietly." Kirk asked, unbuttoning his pouch. Ready to pull out his Nephobo.
"No. There'd be no point." Leroy said as he began to walk forward. But before he could give a shout to Announce their presence. A sudden blur sped across the distance!
Leroy moved quickly, leaning his head to the side but the projectile still nicked his ear. Warmth of blood flowing followed.
"You've all arrived faster than I had anticipated." The Man spoke as he jumped up onto his feet and giving a slight turn to jump down.
He had a goatee that spread across his chin and around his mouth. Small scruff of a five o clock shadow surrounding the edges. His eyes seemed to be perpetually shaded from the brim of his hat. The coat was left open and he wore a simple dress shirt with black slacks.
His hands constantly messed and shuffled a deck of cards as he spoke in a gruff tone "Perhaps this will be more difficult than I or Barbary had imagined it to be…"
He waited for them to make the first move. Just– standing there. Shuffling.
"Captain." Dezzi said, body lowered and ready to pounce. "Do you see those other paths?" The captains eyes shifted, off to the edges of the clearing was two paths opposite each other. A long with another that was 45 degrees from the left. A final path to the back of the man.
"Okay. I think we should split up now…" Leroy said, barely above a whisper. "Aye Aye…" Noir said. "I'll take the right."
"I'll go left" Calli said. "I'll find my way around." Kale said. "I'll go with our Idiot. Make sure he doesn't get lost…" Kirk said. "Alright, rest of you group up and follow one of the paths. Head forward." Leroy concluded
"Go!" He shouted, all of them breaking apart and running in the directions they had determined.
The man didn't do anything except palm the cards and twist them into a circle "52 House of Cards!" He shouted, wiping his hands against one another and sending the deck in each of the direction of the crew!
In front of each of the paths were large humanoid shapes adorned in armor made of cards! This next opponent entrapped the crew, huge cards slamming into the ground, forming walls!
"The rest of the crew won't be ready for you until you're done with me…"