Stone Ocean - Chapter 114
Summary
Jolyne, Emporio and Ermes see that the corpse of the skyfish Ermes killed is melting away, explaining how they weren't discovered until now. Understanding that Rikiel must be controlling the skyfishes, Emporio urges Jolyne to first learn how the rods function. Jolyne and Ermes approach Rikiel, ready to fight, although Rikiel knows it will be to his advantage. However Jolyne and Ermes work out quickly why Rikiel is trying to lure them closer, and discover one of his weaknesses. Disturbed, Rikiel's bad luck begins to reappear as his bike is sinking in the mud and the loses his keys.
Ermes uses Kiss to throw pebbles at Rikiel, but the skyfishes deviate them. However, those pebbles were doubles that Kiss created and Ermes manages to hit Rikiel's head from two sides as she detaches the stickers. Overwhelmed by the multiple rocks Jolyne and Ermes throw at him, Rikiel begins to lose his confidence: his illnesses come back and the skyfishes stay still in the air, deprived of their master. Yet, Rikiel finds his keys, and manages to control the rods again, stopping Ermes from throwing any more rocks by manipulating her hands indirectly. Confident again, Rikiel rants about Apollo 11's symbol as a triumph of the human spirit as he prepares his next attack. Emporio now begins to urinate his own blood, and Ermes's fingers begin to fall off.