Vazrimoth, culled

General Summary

The group spends a few days in Feng-Nao preparing for their final confrontation with Vazrimoth . While there, they trained with the Sword Jockey's and Conradus took the first steps towards learning Sasaki Kojiro's Iron Hand technique. Sora also confided to Benkei that she had seen him killing his allies during The First Great Yokai War through the memories Setsuna shared with her.   They returned to Tengoku to restock their supply of Ofuda before travelling to the Shattered Spire to wait for Vazrimoth. The following morning, the sky turned dark and night fell around them and to their surprise, Vazrimoth AND Laxius appeared before them. Vazrimoth was overcome with a feral rage, but something else seemed slightly off about her demeanor. Battle ensued and though things seemed to be hopeless against the two Apostles , the tide of the battle swung in their favor and with Laxius' assistance, they succeeded in incapacitating the marilith. Benkei attempted to Imprison her with the scroll Liu-Xiao had gifted them but once again failed properly cast it, resulting in their use of Ophiel's scythe Azrael to trap her soul.   With the battle won, Laxius revealed that Nultial's madness was growing with each passing day, and that he had struck a bargain with Tamamo no Mae. He claimed that in exchange for her freedom she had promised Nultial the information he was seeking. Nultial had then ordered the remaining Apostles to scour Tochigi forest for the seals that bind the Kyuubi Temptress. He also asked the group for their Abyssal Anchor, but was refused. The group then returned to the capital and told Tao-Ren what the Apostles were planning.