The 3rd and the 4th Multiform were at Fire Mountain. Dealing with the problems with the Furnace. Repairing it was taking quite some time, and the Guardian Deity Annin was getting annoying with her looks at them.
Just because they reeked of Evil energy, she wanted to lock them up. Kakarot ignored the woman as best he could, but it became a problem when she got in the way of training and work. Like right now, for instance.
"Hey, you Demons!" Annin strode over with her guan dao weapon tucked in her arm. It fell many escapees and other creatures over the years. Yet, she didn't prevent a lot of trouble from happening later on. "What do you think you are doing!?"
The 4th Kakarot gestured for the 3rd Kakarot to deal with her this time.
"Haa, sealing the blasted crack with Technology. The patch placed by the ogres will take some time to heal over. This is an additional coating that is resistant to heat." Holding up the jar of the adhesive, it was best she reads it herself. "Araldite and some new Expoxy to.."
She was not listening as she stared at him. But at least she waited until he finished before saying anything this time. Her suspicions were not to wrong, and she was just doing her job, but still.
"You don't mind if I take this to have it studied, do you?" Annin took the jar after he agreed. Despite the fact the two were compliant the entire time, she still had mixed feelings. "King Yemma may have his plans for you but considering you control so many Demons.. you can understand my caution."
"Yeah.. that is why we are still working. Also, the reason so few came from our forces to help in the situation." Besides the two Multiforms, Nam and a few others with "Pure Hearts" were with them. "If you need more people in the future, I am sure they might find it an Honor to work with someone like you."
*Woosh!* The 3rd Kakarot flew off to work on another crack, leaving the Low-Rank Deity there thinking. The villagers and Nam were perfect for helping guard the Furnace on this side. Much better than the previous members of Chichi's forces that did so.
She had pulled back a few of them, and only those who actually lived in the location were stationed here. Crossing the cutoff point between the Mortal World and Off World, the air was different. The very Ki itself was fused with Spirit energy and Magic.
"This one will take a while. About a 60feet or so maybe..." Popping a few capsules out, he went to work. A few Ogre's waved while setting up not to far away.
"Can't believe the boss actually sent so many of the recruits out to help. Them youngins are throwing a fit having to pick up all the trash we usually picked up. A light blue Orge was making small talk with his partner.
"True, but at least they have a fire under their asses after getting beaten up from trying to take advantage of those humans who came a few months ago on that tour." The partner, a light red ogre, chuckled at the memory. "Then the blonde one.. what was her name.. Tights was it?"
"Yeah." His partner confirmed.
"That do-dad on her arm looked quite painful. I can't believe she whipped them after everything was over. Hehehe, set them straight, the spoiled little brats. Then that escapee.. what was his name that tried to get out?"
Remembering the human that tried to flee through one of the cracks in the Furnace was scary. Way more powerful than several other humans they came across over the years by a large margin.
"Called himself Master Shen, I think. To think that other black-haired young woman beat him into a pulp." Rubbing his chin, the Ogre rembered something else he found funny about the incident. "Didn't he say she was going to bring shame on her family for killing her former master?"
*Rumble!* The entire area shook. Small cracks could be seen around the large opening. Spider cracks were never good in any way. Lead to whole parts falling off or separating. Their were no aftershocks, and the Ogres didn't act abnormal in any way either.
Before the Multiform could hear anything further, a few eyes became visible in the crack. Firing a few Ki blasts out at the hands, they fell back inside. Picking up more further down the way by focusing, it was best to do the other plan first.
"Help me pump this down the cracks!" The Multiform shouted to the Ogres. He threw out a capsule that released a pump. The connecting hoses were pretty massive and would need strong hands to hold on to it while pumping. "It should make it difficult for anything to crawl out of!"
The two ogres liked the sound of that after seeing all the glowing eyes down below. Pumping the clear liquid with the pressure of an industrial-strength hose, the trio coated the walls of the crack and watched several escapees slide back down.
"Now for some foam to create a barrier right quick." The Multiform flipped a switch and watched as it closed over the area. Slinking down to about 10 foot from the surface area. The Ogres hurried to apply for the patchwork over it. "Wish I had enough of the adhesive to coat the entire area, but not enough time to have gotten ready for it. I can't believe they cracked it open more. Did an increase of those in Hfil shoot up or something?"
The next month was pretty busy as they sped up working after the Ogre management received approval to use the adhesive he developed. They returned with mystical creations of it and had more significant numbers to work on the current situation.
King Yemma took the situation seriously, after all, he just had to move the manpower around to get it done. A revolt in Hfil didn't help the case at all. A large influx of Humans and Animorphic creatures recently.
After seeing how dedicated he was, the low-level Deity Annin lighted up a great deal. Still careful around him and very sure he was at least not going to pull a fast one on them.
"Hmm?" A few Ogres resting wonder what was up.
"How about a match between us?" She eyed the 4th Multiform with a smile. Under the impression the two were twins of some sort, Annin wanted to get a feel for the other, which was hard since he never spoke to her and was either working or resting. "Not scared of a little bout, right?"
"Sure." Getting up and stretching, the 4th thought about the 3rd who was deeper into the Furnance area working.
Having found the most significant crack and the biggest one as of yet, it was for the best to close it carefully. Sending a quick message before starting.
'Going to spar against this low-rank Deity, try not to go to far.' Annin had rubbed him the wrong way to much so it was good to get a match in. Especially after all the built up stress lately. 'Haa, to much to have wanted to have tea and a conversation with this one to get information apparently.'
The other Multiform just kept at work with Nam and the Ogres, only making a small mental note about the situation changing on the back end. Which was closer towards the Earth Side.
"To bad you don't have a weapon of your own." She was about to put the Guan Dao away, but her opponent took out a capsule that contained a greatsword. "That is splendid indeed!"
*Swipe!* Kakarot IV swung with enough force the air vibrated. A slight whistling sound was caused by the holes along the top of the blade. With a clash, sparks flew out, covering them both.
When she swiped he countered swiped. Eyes never leaving the Deity's face. Annin's eyes were lit up in a battle fervor. She had the same thought as him to relieve stress this way. She didn't think he would be this much of a challenge.
With a twirl of the body, Annin built up enough momentum to carry him away with a wide swing. Her cape so fast and sharply held at the same length as the weapon she bashed against his counter stance.
*Slick!* A cut appeared on the Multiform's cheek. He recovered then ducked low enough as the deadly top-like attack was again when she came around. A swipe with the Greatsword was blocked by Annin coming out of her twirl.
"Didn't want to get stabbed in the leg.. or thigh, I take it?" He couldn't really tell where it would have hit. One thing for certain, she out classed him in weapon fighting greatly.
"No.. I didn't want to get stabbed in my ass!" Planting her feet firmly on the ground, she stabbed out in a flurry. "Let's test your defense!" Sure that he was unable to dodge the upcoming attack "Yah Yah! Yah!"
Three stabs were visible but at least 35 went out. That was only determined by the amount of cuts around his arms and legs that became visible. The good news, the strikes were shallow enough not to draw a lot of blood.
*Clang!* After a few seconds between the next stabbed out, the Multiform blocked the first strike disrupting the flow of the ensuing ones. As a build momentum-based move, the initial determined a lot.
Surviving the next set of strikes, a slip to the slide, he swung at her none dominant arm. The full force sent the Deity sliding to the side with some effort. Hitting the side of the Furnace, Kakarot IV waited until she moved away from it.
'No sense in causing damage to the Furnace from a strike by mistake. At least she stopped herself a good bit before hitting it.' The small respite was enough to flush the scratches with some Ki.
"Not bad at all!" Annin's headdress moved a bit while walking forward, the two feather-like antennae on top striking out on each side the moment she got close again. "Don't run out of energy on me now!"
The two strikes from above were fast but nothing that couldn't be dodged. The guan dao was still the biggest issue. As the two traded blows and stabbed at each other relentlessly, the Ogres had pulled out snacks to watch.
Bets taking place once it was confirmed all the areas were secured. With the flames of the Furnance turned back on. Sealing the way towards Earth completely. The fire even burned hotter without all the cracks inside.
A few days later, the two finished another bout. The constant winning and losses of some of the Ogres caused the bets to become crazy high. Even King Yemma winning a few times. But he only betted on the Kakarot that used a weapon. Never the one that didn't.
"Good, you are a worthy person." Annin stopped and put away her weapon. "Weapons are not your forte, but I know where you can train it up at. A much higher degree anyway if you are interested."
With the multiforms earning her trust and admiration, Annin no longer held the high animosity. During the fight, he only used his martial arts and fighting. Not once striking in a way to endanger the Furnace.
"Haaa, sounds good." Putting away the Greatswordsword for now, he wondered what she had in mind after all this time. It had only been some time since they started sparring with each other at the end of the day between rotations. "Where is the other one?"
Using Telepathy, the other Multiform and a few Ogres were missing.
"I think they went to King Yemma's. Come on, its on the way anyway." Annin gestured. As they moved out of the final area, the heat of the place they were once and the new location were definitely felt. "Suprised you survived so long in the heat, actually."
"Yeah.. but it was close some times." The Multiform was just in his top and had the sleeves around his waist. The cool air was defintely good. His tail moved about back and forth happily. 'i wonder how I was cut off from everyone a few times. Was it because of the Fire of the Furnace or because of something else?'
.
Down Below-
.
As for the other Kakarot, both himself an Ogre were in dire straits. Having fallen into a pit after an explosion took place in King Yemmas castle, it was the most surreal moment since arriving. A few members of the Red Ribbon Army defectors had actually been possessed by Spirits and tried to take vengeance on King Yemma for sentencing them to HFIL.
Detonating the explosives after waiting for the perfect opportunity to do so. Years of planning with the chance coming after the incident with the Furnace outbreak previously.
"Well.. this is the pits." Kakarot IV looked at the Ogre. "You can get us out of here, right?"
"Of course.. just will take some time." The red Ogre wasn't fooling anyone. His face gave away he had no idea how to get out. Not anytime soon anyway. "Just let me look around."
"Haa.." Kakarot used Telepathy to talk to the other after sighing. 'Hey, tell King Yemma we fell down into Hfil.
Passing it along, the Judge of the Dead only sighed. As it would take some time to retrieve him safely with everything going on. Communications were sporadic at best down there. Besides his regular Ogres, a powerful magic user would have to go down there to get him out.
'Haaa, my power level only increased by a 168 so far. The same as the other Multiforms, I need to fight a hell of a lot more than that to guarantee victory coming up.' Looking around, the place was full of fighters stuck here. "Hey.. I am going to start using them for my training. So... those inmates.. prisoners.. I can use them for practice, right? I mean, they did cause trouble and killed some.. not so innocent but living people."
"It's not normal to do so. But..we do have some escapees that need to be hunted down before they start a full rebellion." The Ogre was just grateful for the help as they fell in an area without a lot of Ogre Jailers.
"Good," Popping out a capsule, he removed an extra scouter to help keep track of location and the danger level. "put this on to communicate with me." Not waiting for a yes, Kakarot shot off to fight in a dash. 'The Magic Bracers are taking in energy at an alarming rate. This is the perfect place to get stronger and build up reserves for later!'
After hours of rounding up some troublesome inmates, he felt bored. The stronger ones were deep in Hfil and way out of his league. Plus, he was defintely getting sleepy and really hungry.
"So, is the pick up here?"
"No, some serious trouble there, little man." Metz said cheerfully. He was filled in with regards to what the individual before him was doing. "But I have something to cheer you up, yah.