"Now's my chance!" Shinobu Kocho seized the instant Doma lost focus and unleashed Insect Breathing: Dance of the Dragonfly, Compound Eye Hexagon!
She lunged forward with a rapid thrust!
"Hehe~ You fell for it..." Doma had been staring blankly just a moment earlier, but now a cruel smile curled across his face.
"Blood Demon Art: Frozen Mist, Water Lily Bodhisattva!"
Before Shinobu Kocho could close in, a colossal bodhisattva made of ice slowly rose amid surging waves. Its eyes were closed and its palms pressed together, lending it an almost kindly, compassionate air.
But then Doma's face began to darken. Black matter spread outward from the wounds he had sustained earlier.
"Whoa~ Is this... poison?!" Doma dropped to the ground and vomited mouthful after mouthful of blood as he asked.
"Hehe~ This poison was specially formulated for you! It contains some of the deadliest poisons from the Otherworld. I have Miss Chiyo to thank for her help with that."
"Count yourself lucky. You're the first demon to taste it." With that, Shinobu Kocho vanished in a flash.
Clang! A massive ice wall blocked her attack, and then an enormous medieval castle enclosed Doma.
"Urgh~" He gave the others one last look and spat out a mouthful of blood as he said:
"Very impressive~ You've pushed me this far. Now I'll have to get serious. I hope you can hold out a little longer."
Clang! The castle gates shut, sealing Doma away completely.
For a time, bitter winds, cold air, and icy mist spread relentlessly...
Outside the castle, the Water Lily Bodhisattva began to reform and take shape again. The poison clearly worked well. Doma had been forced to adopt a strategy of defense and spell attacks, planning to wear everyone down until they died.
Just then, something strange was launched