The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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The vacuum did not move. It seemed to simply be sucking in place.

Dokuromets found it unnerving, somehow. He was certain a vacuum couldn't suck up immaterial things, such as himself... but then, this did not seem to be an ordinary vacuum. He cautiously maintained his distance, waiting for the vacuum to make a move.

Meanwhile, in the illusory realm, the bathroom was finally clear of blood. Eximo was satisfied, and turned off its suction... a move which carried over to "reality", such as it was.

Dokuromets watched the device shut itself off. He wasn't sure what was happening, but it seemed the machine was somehow inactive. The ghost decided to strike. He lunged towards the demonic vacuum...

"Defense mode activated."

Apparently, the sudden attack was enough to shake Eximo out of its "dream". As Dokuromets approached, the vacuum reacted by reversing its suction, sending the ghost flying backwards towards the shower. A gun was blown off of the top of the shower in the process, though neither combatant noticed this at the time.

Dokuromets was not pleased. Taking a moment to regain his bearings, he turned to the vacuum.

"Now listen to me, machine..." he began, but was soon interrupted.

"Do not interfere with the cleansing. This is your final warning."

The sudden rebuke only annoyed Dokuromets further. Of all the things he didn't intend to be shown up by, a household appliance was pretty close to the top of the list.