The armed inhabitants of Emerald City fled from the reach of the mist, fearful of the way it corrupted anything it touched. The source of the mist - the bleach-white Mamono - laughed mockingly and started to back away. Behind her, a hole leading to purple-black folds of the unknown emerged, large enough for the hulking being to enter and disappear completely.
And just like that, the invader made its exit. Leaving destruction in its wake.
Keeping his eye trained on the advancing mist, Jeiel borrowed the glasses of a nearby Oblation and wore it. Tapping at a section by the eyeglass hinge he opened a communication link to a familiar friend - the Munchkin named Toymaker.
"TOYMAKER, this is Jeiel. Initiate PROTOCOL VVAII_IIAVV. Coordinates 191698."
<J-JEIEL?! G-G-GOT IT! VIRIDIAN WALLS, INITIALIZING!!>
There is a rumble beneath Emerald City. After a brief 'ka-chink', panels of pure Auzium jutted out of the ground, forming a wall around the mist. The panels extended skyward until the very top is sealed shut.
As soon as he saw the mist trapped within the Auzium-built compound, corrupting the inner walls within instead of outside, Jeiel let out a sigh of relief.
"...thank gods..."
Jeiel tottered backward, a weird buzz invading his head like a migraine. Bellona was quick to catch him before he could completely lose his balance. The Elementals surrounding him grabbed at him on all ends, panicking.
Amihan : Master, what's happening?? You're supposed to be going off like a cannon at a time like this!
Pyrrha : Something's not right. (Shakes Jeiel's arm) Don't you dare faint again, you dummy! You're gonna give us a heart attack!
Erran : (shuddering) Master...
Qualin : Master, if you're unwell... you have to rest your head...
Jeiel shook his head. "No. I can't stop . Not when Lin, Blances and Blink are missing out there.. and that jet-black Mamono left a mess right at my kingdom's doorstep.." He turned to Bellona. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry."
"I have a right to. I am your wife." Bellona helped Jeiel back to his feet. "What are your orders? I can mobilize everyone in your stead. Or I can ask Ozma-san to join me here in the battlefront, so we can oversee everything together."
"Ozma's handling the evacuation. She and the others are gonna have their hands full with the people that're heading down the dungeons." Jeiel held on to Bellona's hands and squeezed them tight. "Meet up with Toymaker. Tell her to initiate the rest of the Viridian Wall Protocol around Emerald City. And have the rest of the Oblations and armed residents ready in case the Mamono shows up again."
"... as you command, Jeiel-dono,"
Bellona bowed and with her wings stretching from behind her, she took off to Toymaker's abode Kree Eath.
Jeiel looked over behind his shoulder. "NUNNALLY."
Out of nowhere, Jeiel's Cheshire cat wife appeared, floating beside the man with eyebrows furrowed out of concern. She pressed her paw on Jeiel's shoulder, "I'm sorry... I just had to follow you because I was so worried... I was this close to dragging you back to the Palace.. "
"It's okay. I'm glad you're here." Jeiel looked deep into the worried Mamono's eyes. "There are a lot of injured people and Mamono right now. Round up some of the Oblation to check on them. Will you do that for me?"
Nunnally nodded. She hugged Jeiel close to the chest. "Don't forget - we're your wives. We're with you until the end."
Jeiel gave her an assuring nod. Nunnally floated down and sprinted away into action.
"Girls, I'll be alright. Stay alert, okay? We'll be in another fight before you know it."
Amihan : Okay.
Pyrrha : Just don't die on us, I won't forgive you if you kick the bucket without us ever doing a thing for you, Master.
Erran : (hugs Jeiel from behind) Be safe.
Qualin rounds up her fellow Elementals under her arms and with a nod of acknowledgement to Jeiel, disappear. Leaving Jeiel with a voice in his head.
This doesn't look pretty, Danna-sama.
" I know." Jeiel looks up, seeing the faded image of Circe sitting on his shoulder. "Have you ever seen a monster like that?"
No. Circe shook her head. But if something like that existed way before my time, the annals of the Emerald City Library might know a thing. Either that or we ask the oldest hag-fish in Ozian history.
Jeiel sighed a bit, knowing who Circe implied. With time not at his side and no credible information at hand, he had no choice but to contact her.
The great sorceress - and monster - known as The Whiz of Oz.