The large rib cage closed David in, killing the thieves who weren't quick enough in an instant. Those who managed to dodge out of the way, became encased in the rib cage.
Some thieves tried to make their way out of the large openings, but David was one step ahead. Small bones shot out of the large bones forcing many back into the cage as the unlucky few were pierced.
The thieves all had no choice but to rush David. Lee Seng gritted his teeth and watched as David blew through two dudes like butter. The metallic tank flew at him, blocking his path towards his squishy teammates.
Lee Seng's ears twitched, jumping out of the way as a large ax flew down on his spot. He rolled back onto his feet and turned, looking at more thieves entering the space through the portal. His tentacles fired at the ax user, grabbing the wielder their hands and tossing them into the air.
"Ah, crap!" Lee Seng jumped backwards, dodging an earth spike. Fireballs flew at him as he lifted the scabbard in his right hand up, blocking the attacks. He pushed the fireballs back at the thieves, sliding towards the large rib cage as sounds of groans grew louder.
"Close the damn thing!" David shouted, pulling his bone arm sword out of a thief. He lifted his other sword arm and blocked the electric sword and pushed the thief back.
"I'm trying to figure that out now!" Lee Seng replied. He thrusted his katana at the growing group of thieves. A beam of cosmic energy flew out, exploding on impact. Lee Seng sprinted for the portal, sending out more explosive cosmic energy at it.
"Watch out!" A distant voice shouted. A distant explosion went off as Lee Seng slid to a stop near the portal.
[26 Thief Souls acquired. 354/10,000 souls]
"Alright, how do I close this?" Lee Seng asked as three Dark Matter-infused Echoes stepped out of him. "Guard me!" Two ran outside while one stayed inside with him. One of the Echoes outside turned and grabbed the katana and scabbard and readied themself for battle while the other used their tentacles to keep people at bay.
"This better work!" Lee Seng clawed the top corner of a portal and then placed his right hand below him. He released cosmic energy, trying to connect the two energies together as the third Echo turned to face the few thieves that managed to survive the explosions.
The cosmic energy sparked, missing the connection as Lee Seng's jaw clenched. The sparks continued to fire out, missing as the sound of fighting grew loud around him. Third Echo whipped their tentacle around, keeping the thieves at bay while First and Second attempted to keep the other thieves at bay.
Lee Seng continued to let out more sparks, finally connecting to the portal. He let out a yelp as the immense power from the portal suddenly began to pull his entire mind apart.
"Argh! It wasn't this crazy!" Lee Seng shouted. His jaw clenched harder as he began to get a grasp of the immense power now in his hands.
"You didn't think you'd get rid of me so easily, didja?" The ax wielder asked. They lifted their hand as their ax ripped off the ground and flew straight for their hand. "I'll kill you before you can close that!" The ax wielder sprinted forward as the Third Echo turned and jumped through the portal.
"What're you doing?!?" Lee Seng asked as the Second flew in. Lee Seng turned and watched as the Second Echo lifted the scabbard up and blocked the attack. "Oh, that's what you're doing… Wait a minute, I didn't even give you that command!"
[Notice: Due to the Dark Matter Suit's unpredictable nature, it seems the Echoes have gain some sort of sentient understanding linked to your suit.]
"Does that mean they can just do whatever they want?!?" Lee Seng asked, turning his attention back onto the portal. Second Echo shoved the Ax wielder away, dashing towards him as David jumped out of the rib cage.
"Gotcha!" A thief shouted as they impaled First Echo. The Echo began to squirm and the Dark Matter exploded, latching itself onto the thief as he flew in.
"Ah, crap! Do something!" Lee Seng shouted. Sounds of footsteps rushed past Lee Seng and a bone arm sword flew straight through the thief.
"Focus on closing the portal!" David shouted. "I'll protect you!" Lee Seng continued to push against the flow of energy. Learning a new ability on the fly by XI's memory was definitely something Lee Seng didn't want to do ever again.
Lee Seng's shouts grew loud as the energy began to give in. The portal started to make 'whoosh' and spark noises.
"Fire!" A distant thief shouted. Sounds of fireballs and gunshots caught Lee Seng's ears. Lee Seng cursed as Third Echo quickly jumped into the portal, exploding in Dark Matter and Wisps. The Third Echo encased Lee Seng in a protective shell as fireballs and gunshots flew through the portal.
Lee Seng could feel the heat and bullets hit him. Lee Seng's hands quickly moved faster, growing closer together as a spear flew through the portal, connecting with Lee Seng. Lee Seng flew backwards as the spear buried itself into Lee Seng's abdomen. He slammed onto the ground as the wisps scattered. The portal fizzled, shutting in on itself.
"Die!" The ax wielder screamed, slamming the ax straight through Second Echo. The Second Echo released its form, wisps and Dark Matter exploding in every direction as the katana and scabbard clattered onto the ground.
David took this as a sign to finish the ax wielder before they could do more damage onto the actual Lee Seng and sprinted at the enemy.
"Ahhh!" The ax wielder screamed as he swatted the wisps away. He desperately tried to rip the Dark Matter off of his eyes as it tried to bury itself into him. David's left foot slammed in front of the Ax wielder, pivoting as his bone arm sword flew straight through the Ax wielder's heart.
Blood exploded as the golden wisps covered the Ax wielder. Before David could question the wisps, the wisps pulled themselves away from the Ax wielder and flew straight for Lee Seng. The wisps entered Lee Seng's body, instantly giving him energy to move. Lee Seng grasped the spear and ripped it out of his abdomen, screaming.
The spear clattered onto the side as Lee Seng clutched his wound. The golden energy moved throughout his body suit towards his wound. They began to collectively expedite the healing as Lee Seng clenched his jaw shut.
"Mmmmm!" Lee Seng screamed as he forced his eyes shut. He could feel the pain lessening as the excess Dark Matter began to move towards the open spot, repairing it. David pulled the sword out of the Ax wielder and watched with unbothered eyes as the Ax wielder fell to the ground. His attention immediately went to Lee Seng. Lee Seng had rolled to his side and into a fetal position, clutching his now healed injury.
"Dammit, that hurts!" Lee Seng complained. David made his way over to Lee Seng as Lee Seng rolled side to side a couple of times.
"You're healed?" David asked, taking a look at Lee Seng's blood. Lee Seng stopped on his back and removed his hand, revealing his now healed injury. "Really? Can you heal your injuries that quickly? You're sure lucky."
"It's a blessing and a curse…" Lee Seng slowly sat up.
"Now that the portal is gone, we should—"
VRROOOO!
Cosmic energy sparked, exploding outwards. David and Lee Seng bounced onto the ground, slamming into the old building's walls as the ceiling above started to cave. The energy pulled inwards and vanished, leaving the two embedded in the walls.
"Is it done?" Lee Seng asked. There was a long pause before David answered.
"I guess." David pulled his arms and legs out, letting gravity do the rest. He landed on the freshly made debris, trying to not slip as he balanced himself. A boom from Lee Seng was enough to get him out. He landed on the ground, upper body tilting forward as he waved his hands to catch himself.
"Safe!" Lee Seng pointed a finger up into the air, posing. David rolled his eyes as he made his way back to Lee Seng.
"I don't think we should stay here any longer. We need to leave before more thieves find us." David told Lee Seng.
"Let's go up."
"Huh? How's it going to help us?" David asked as he watched Lee Seng meet up with him. The two walked side by side as Lee Seng let another smile out. David sighed. "I don't like this."
"Trust me. It won't be as bad as last time!" Lee Seng reassured him. David didn't feel reassured by that. He felt more scared of what was going to happen. Lee Seng and David made it a door with a set of stairs and they both stopped.
"We know I can create a portal." Lee Seng started, spinning around to face David. "So now that we both know that, I can move onto theory number two."
"Oh no… A second theory?" David shrank. "This could only get worse from here."
"No it won't, trust me!" Lee Seng pushed the door open and motioned for David to step through. "We just need a vantage point."