Squelch

A fleshy tendril flew out of the wall and ripped the spear from out of the robot's hand. Lulu had already started to roll out of the way, but either way the weapon was gone now.

"Tch," scoffed Narissa as she held her hand against the wall. "I knew I couldn't trust you."

"Well now, that's not the friendliest thing to hear after someone saves her skin." Lulu replied.

The robot tried to lift his hand, but another tendril flew down from the ceiling, and wrapped around his entire arm. As it completely enveloped his forearm and hand, the flesh like rope started to melt and fuse together into one solid chunk.

"You understand how important this room is, don't you?" Narissa scolded. "If it say, gets a spear thrust through it, well we might end up stranded here!"

Another two tentacles sprang up from the floor and wrapped around the robot's legs.

"Calm down," Sentenza said as he casually slipped the chamber of his gun to the side and looked down at the six bullets housed inside. "Most people have some form of self-preservation you know."

With a flick of his wrist, the chamber slid back into place. Methodically, he lifted the gun, and pressed it against the machine's back.

BANG!

Sentenza fired the gun. The machine lurched forward from the force of impact, and Sentenza raised an eyebrow. He tilted his gun to the side and lowered his eyes down to it. After a shrug, he turned the gun back to the robot.

Five more shots rang out as five bullets thudded into the back of the robot as it was held in place by the flesh coated bindings.

The assassin reached up and scratched his throat. "Well, I'll be. Tough son of a gun, aren't you?"

"A problem?" Narissa asked derisively.

"Yep." Sentenza nodded. "He's not dead. I even used the magic gun this time."

Narissa let out a frustrated sigh. "And you're not reloading because why?"

Sentenza pointed outside of the room. "The scythe." he explained. "That's our best shot at making any sort of impact."

The robot was mostly bound, but the surprisingly large bullet holes in its back had already started to close up themselves. Several sparks flew out from the gash on its chest as it seemed to evaluate the situation.

A moment later, a portal appeared around it, and the robot started to disappear.

"Quick, stop him!" Og'drimun shouted.

Narissa smirked and folded her arms. As the portal disappeared, the robot was still there. Although even without a face, it seemed surprised at that fact.

"Lucky for us, I for one actually have skill and talent." She said proudly.

"Neat trick," Lulu remarked. "Rigging the game against them."

"I mean, playing fair is just so...overplayed, you know?" Narissa chuckled.

Sentenza grunted, and then jumped out of the room's doorway. He limped over to Death's skull and with a small groan, knelt down.

Mind lending me a hand here dude? Death asked.

Sentenza scooped up the skull and looked around. Death's bones were scattered all over the place. Not a single one had remained on his horse after he was blown away.

"You scythe." Sentenza said firmly.

Uh...what about it? Death asked.

"Where is it?" The assassin asked.

Gone, I guess? Death shrugged. I don't really think too much about where it goes. Just know it's there when I need it, you feel me bro?

Sentenza unceremoniously dropped Death's skull.

Ouch! Hey, careful with the merchandise! Death complained.

Sentenza looked around, and his eyes stopped on Bakade, who was curled up and lying on her side. Without another look at Death, he immediately limped over.

Whoa, hey don't just leave me like this bro! Death called out. I'm kinda all over the place, you know.

Sentenza knelt down by Bakade, and held two fingers up against her neck. After a few moments of silence, he let out a small sigh and nodded. Next, he turned his attention to Ted. He did the same thing, but Ted nearly jumped when the cowboy's rough fingers brushed against the hair on his neck.

"Wha! Who?" Ted scrambled out of Bakade's arms and turned around.

When he saw it was Sentenza, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Ah, it's just you." he sighed. "I thought something new had shown up to cause trouble."

"Trouble's not over yet. Need to get both of you to safety, and..." Sentenza paused and looked back at the scattered bones. He shook his head, and added, "and we should probably put the force of nature back together."

Ted helped Sentenzapick up Bakade and the two of them took the injured girl back towards the flesh filled room.

When they got close, the Robot came flying out of the room back first.

Sentenza sneered and rushed inside with Ted and Bakade, despite his limp.

"What was that?" he scowled. "Why'd you let him go?"

"My first priority is making sure this place survives." Narissa explained calmly. "He wasn't exactly helpless you know."

The machine was struggling to move but was getting faster and smoother every moment.

"Hey Lulu," Ted asked, "how good are you at puzzles?"

Lulu smirked. "Depends on how much someone's paying."

Ted sighed, "Your life depends on this too, you know."

"Sure sure, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't get paid." Lulu explained. "Soldiers don't just murder for fun you know. That's just a nice perk."

"I don't think..."

Lulu waved her hand dismissively towards Ted as she cut him off. "I'll make it simple. Owe me one, and I'll be plenty fast."

Ted nodded. "Fine, just we need Death put back together."

"Magical skeleton?" Lulu mused. "Simple then. Just basic anatomy."

And with that, she jumped out of the room, and scooped bones off of the ground as she went along.

"Just make sure you keep that thing distracted long enough...and I'd rather not be wolf chow." Lulu called out.

"Oh yeah?" Ted replied. "How much do you plan to pay for that sort of protection?"

"Oh ho ho! You're finally learning kiddo!" Lulu grinned. "Everything has a price, so you'd better demand it at every opportunity."

Ted groaned. He had hoped that would've helped her see the other side of things. But he guessed he should have known better. I mean, of course she'd think it was a good idea. It's exactly what she did.

"Feeling bold enough to try jumping again?" Narissa asked.

Sentenza nodded, and in response, she smiled wickedly.

"Well then," she cooed. "Better hold on Ted dear. Oh, and I suppose I should strap her in."

A swarm of tendrils sprung up from the ground and wrapped around Bakade. The flesh pinned her to the ground, and as Ted saw a shiver went up his spine. He put a hand over his stomach, as he could swear that he could still feel Narissa's hand inside of him.

"Here we go. Be ready," Narissa warned as the machine lurched out of the current reality.

"Oooh, ooh, what should I do?" Og'drimun asked as he fluttered around Narissa's head.

She smiled weakly. "Why, just keep being adorable Oggy."

"Don't call me that!" The tiny demon fumed.

Sentenza stood at the entrance waiting. His two pistols drawn and at the ready. But his leg twitched slightly for a brief moment, before he was able to bring it back under control. It seemed the long fight had drained him. Who knows how much longer he could keep this up.