BXBX NOVEL Chapter 1383 FLORAL COMBAT Part 2
Lily was quite worried about the current picking up. It mostly pointed towards Blue noticing that something strange was going on. Lily strained her ears to try and hear anything as the vase she was in was pulled into a whirlpool. Lily looked at the opening above her for a few moments before discarding her desire to peak out. It wasn't time just yet. Probably…
--- Marigold ---
While Lily was worried about being found out, Marigold was wearing a large grin even as she kept an eye on Blue. It was clear Blue was planning something big… but equally clear she hadn't noticed Lily's actions. Of course, the fact that all of the treasures were being gathered up into a large mass was not a sign of good things. It probably meant Blue was going to use at least a few of them. Perhaps all of them.
This was practically confirmed when March flinched at the sight and said, "Blue's about to start up a whirlpool filled with junk. You might want to run now," "Bah, me? Running?" retorted Marigold. "I'd rather… hmm… I just realised there's not a good way to turn this into a saying. There are plenty of things I like to do that other people hate, and a bunch of more normal things that people like. I mean I can't say 'run over hot coals then abandon the fight' because I've tried that, and it isn't much to right home about. The heat is barely painful and the ash gets everywhere… but it is fun sometimes," "Yeah I know," agreed March. "I did quite a few coal runs back in the day when I was trying to get a handle on my affinity. When it first came in we knew it was fire based, but we also knew it wasn't a fire affinity. Coal runs helped us cover ash and smoke affinity. Though they are much more annoying now that I'm a good deal heavier. Crushing the coals under my feet just means the remains stick to my fight and come with me," "CAN YOU TO LUNATICS GO BACK TO FIGHTING EACH OTHER?" yelled Blue. "No!" retorted March and Marigold together as they both turned as one to their 'new' opponent. "I saw this coming a mile away dammit. Fine you want a fight? Well I'll give you a fight. Doesn't matter if things get a bit damaged in the process if I'm the only one standing at the end!" shouted Blue as the spinning wall of stuff behind her was brought forward around her body. It made for a flashy display, and one that cost a good deal of mana… but Blue wasn't willing to take risks right now. Marigold and March hadn't seriously been fighting each other for a good thirty seconds. Blue didn't want them both to target her… but she did need to throw them off balance lest they properly charge her with intent to take her out of the running. March made a good attempt. As soon as it was clear what Blue was doing steam exploded from behind Marigold and she rocketed towards the fae… only for Marigold to lash out with a spear towards her thigh. March had to change direction abruptly to avoid being impaled. The larger woman didn't say anything, just glared back as the treasure rushed in. *That… might have been a mistake. I was too concerned with keeping March's focus on me, and Blue's focus away from where the treasures are now… but the treasures are about to be right here. I'm not sure where Lily is… but nobody seems to have noticed her. The problem is I can't seem to see her either. I don't want to make my search too obvious lest someone get suspicious, but we do need to change up the plan a touch.*
Marigold didn't get much longer to think about it because March had teleported into her face and punched her, hard. Marigold heard her skull crack and instantly forced some mana towards the injury. Marigold had enough practice with injuries to know that she would be fine. March had pulled the punch a touch at the last moment, not willing to commit to destroying Marigold's head in full… assuming she could. As it stood, Marigold just needed to heal a little bone and a concussion, which was only a slight step up from nothing in her mind. The bone hadn't even splintered everywhere. She just had to fix up a few cracks and reset her brain a bit. It didn't take long for Marigold to be back to 100%... but that short amount of time was enough for the treasures to crash into the battlefield. Marigold found herself swept into the now much stronger current. March was somewhat nearby, keeping an eye on Blue… and wasn't even looking at Marigold. *Oh? Did she think I'd been taken out by that one? Hehehe, you'll have to try harder than that to take me out of the fight for longer than a moment. Now how do I take advantage of this the best?*
As that thought was flashing through Marigold's mind she noticed something a touch off with one of the vases nearby. Marigold was about to ignore it when Lily's head popped out of the vase. Marigold's eyes went wide as she stared at the other woman. Lily stared back in confusion and Marigold made a few short, sharp gestures implying she should go back to hiding. Lily seemed to get it and ducked back down into the vase with Marigold wincing slightly at the sound. *Oof. That's not going to be good for that vase. I'm surprised it didn't just crack if it was making those sounds the first time she snuck into it. Though… what is she even doing in a vase in the first place? I know I told her to hide… but I'm not sure she managed it in time. March isn't looking but Blue has to be. The question is if she was paying enough attention to me, or if she thought I was knocked out as well. Hmm… assuming she saw nothing how can I use this to my advantage. Hmm… hmm… best plan I can come up with seems to be picking the vase up, waiting for the whirlpool to take me around to Blue and then hurl the vase at her face. If it gets close enough Lily can burst out and try to attack Blue… not sure Lily has the guts to go through with something like that though. She's a sweet little thing and quite reliable… but she doesn't have a bloodthirsty bone in her body.* Marigold's thoughts paused for a moment at that. *Well I imagine properly threatening Kat would see her go ballistic but I also don't see how Kat could GET properly threatened so it's probably fine. Can I really justify throwing Lily in a vase right at Blue?*
Despite Marigold questioning in her thoughts, her actions told a different story, she was already doing her best to swim through the current and over to the vase. It didn't take long to reach and once their Marigold swam as hard as she could against the pull towards the centre. From there it was a simple matter of lining up the shot. "Lily. Get ready I'm about to throw you at Blue. If you can attack her while she's off guard, we can get a huge advantage," whispered Marigold into the top of the vase.
--- Lily ---
Lily blinked twice as the words registered in her mind. *What?* Lily blinked again as she felt the vase shifting around her. The water made cushioned any impacts, but it also prevented her from just resting on the bottom. *What?* So she felt it as the vase was suddenly pulled backwards for a throw. *FUCKIN! WHAT!* Lily didn't know what to think as she felt her vase get launched towards Blue. Blue of course blocked this projectile. It wasn't moving all that fast and there was water everywhere. It was a simple matter of redirecting it slightly off to the side… at least, that's what it should have been. The moment Lily felt the vase starting to slow she bundled up her shadow. *I don't know that this is a good idea… but dammit I'll TRY!*
The vase exploded around Lily as her shadow coalesced into a 'giant' version of her Memphis form. Which… wasn't exactly huge considering it was only about twice the size of the average house cat, but it was surprising and Lily's shadow hard sharp claws. Claws that were stretched out and ready to rake their way down Blue's chest. In case you haven't worked it out yet the chapter name is a play on words because Lily and Marigold are both flower names. So instead of "Mortal Combat" it's "Floral Combat" Vongrak
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