Chapter 4: Domination

[~Hidan~]

Syne sat in the corner of her cell thinking about what was going to happen to them and what may have happened to Malice and Titania. Glenn and Kirby had drawn out a chess set and were occupying their time. Syne thought long and hard about how they could actually beat Kani once and for all, nothing came to mind.

Nichi, memories of Nichi’s life and how he used his powers came to her mind. She noticed the similar forms of training that all three of the counterparts had used. The main one being the weights that they all had attached to their arms and legs, however Nichi had one that Brian and she did not use. The Magic retainers were the missing key.

“Glenn I have a favor to ask you, if it doesn’t embarrass you too much.” Syne said as she stood up and walked over to the cell divider.

“Well that all depends on what it is your asking of me.” Glenn asked as he walked over to the cell divider as well.

“Well I’ve been thinking about Nichi and how he was able to suppress his extra power by using some form of a tattoo like seal on his body, I’ve checked the rest of my body but I can’t see my back, so could you please take a look at it?” Syne said lightly blushing.

“I will do that if you wish me to.” Glenn coughed

Syne turned her back to him and let down the robe she was wearing. “Anything?”

“Well yes there is.” Glenn said clearing his throat. “It would seem there is a triple star inside an octagon with several strange looking characters, and in the center of it is a diamond shape.”

“Where on my body is it?”

“It’s between the shoulder blades.”

“Ok thanks.” She said as she pulled back on the robe. “Now I know, and I just have to figure out how to use It.” as she said that she began to sit down and meditate.

“Why do you have so many scars Syne?” Kirby asked breaking his silence.

“I’ve been a fighter sense I was twelve years old.” Syne said sighing. “Think about the learning curve.”

“Well I was asking more about the one large scar that runs a half crescent down the entire length of your back?”

“I have a scar like that?” Syne thought to herself.

“Yeh it runs from the top of your right shoulder to the middle of your left ribcage then to the top of your right hip.”

“Oh right that, I was almost killed once but as you can see they only got a bit of my skin.” Syne lied; physical evidence of her past life sacrifice had manifested itself on her. Only it was as though she had lived through the ordeal. She decided to block out everything and figure out how to activate the magical retainers.

Glenn and Kirby stated talking and playing chess again.

 

[Zerlina]

((Are you guys ready for the sappiest post in the whole story? I'm SO sorry. I've just been inspired as of late ^^ and also I wrote it while listening to Legends of the Fall ))

Snowflakes fell through the hazy sky, turning and tumbling in a graceful ballet. The wind was their music, and it guided them gently through the gray, its clear breath cold and soft as summer waves. Below, the ground was a mess of frozen mud footprints, slowly being covered in a blanket of winter beauty.

Noble chin raised up, General Hige Toboe stared out at the field, an ethereal silence about him. His worn boots were pressed gently into the soft but solid earth, and he seemed immovable as rock. With ease, the wind whipped around him, lifting and tossing his cloak as playfully as a child would. Yet there was nothing childish about him, for as he stared –eyes cold as the earth he stood upon- he saw the world with wisdom beyond centuries of inheritance.

Before him lay a muddy field, grazed with ashes from burnt grass and bodies. Along the plain and the countryside, were the remnants of homes- black skeletons rising out of the frozen earth. There was no colour; there was no hope. All that lay before him was death, and the quiet that it brought.

In that moment, he could see his whole future staring back at him- an eternity of black and gray, reaching out toward a distant heaven. No matter what he did, no matter what strategy he could compose, his symphony would end before its time and fall in a cry of wailing discord. He would leave no legacy- no great deed to be remembered by. He would disappear just as the men before him disappeared beneath the falling snow.

In years to come, he thought, men will walk by this plain and never think about the blood which stains the grassy roots, or the souls that now wander the earth, their lives sold in exchange for a bitter defeat. For time falls upon us whether we like it or not, and moments are soon lost in the cruel river called “past.” A thousand years from now, no one will care what happened here. They will walk carelessly by and see none of this destruction, for they are blinded by snowy time. Our lives will be locked away- covered in a dirty, white pall, and no matter what, there is nothing we can do about it.

For we are the dead.

We are the forgotten.

No longer may we feel the sun upon our faces or the warmth of that longed-for embrace. No longer may we even hope for anything better, for our time will be over.

And though he stood alone, he felt that it was not so. For it seemed as if someone had shared his thoughts, and had truly understood him.

Slowly, he turned his back away from the field and faced his ailing troops. The coldness returned to his body, and the wind pressed him forward, though he moved voluntarily and without quarrel. His steps were now laden with a new heaviness, and even as he moved forward, he knew that his thoughts had already passed away into time.

We each have only a moment, and we never know when it will be over. It is no use delaying what the soul yearns for, for at any moment it might be too late. Darkness is eternal and the day must be embraced and enjoyed, for sunset moves nearer with each and every second.

 

[Zerlina]

*​

He sat quietly in the corner, never raising his eyes up from the cold, marble floor. The room was a mess of silence and gray, the only light coming from the orange embers of small makeshift fires. Though they knew that at dawn their castle would be burned, the men had lit their flames in the proper places, their respect for their home extending even unto their last night alive. For these men were extraordinary, and they laughed and sung even as the hours collapsed. They knew that they were doomed, and yet they acted as if it were any other time. For it was not fearlessness that made them great, it was the way they smiled even though their hands shook, and their stomachs ached with the pain of anticipation.

Her face aglow in the orange light, the small girl sat with her legs slightly pulled up in front of her. With her arms, she cradled her knees and with her eyes she stared down at the crimson scores which marred her skin. Along the tops of her feet, lay hatches of red- cuts from being dragged out of the field- while her wrists were black with bruises. She coughed aloud, and her ribs felt as if they were going to break; though the fire was before her, she still felt cold.

From behind her, she heard a man begin to play a strange instrument- probably his last possession in the world, if it was even his (for the castle store-room must have had plenty of things which the men could use to entertain themselves). She turned her head slightly and watched him, his blistered fingers holding an odd-looking stick delicately, before brushing it smoothly over taut strings. The sound was heavenly, and she watched him quietly from her corner, a solemnity hanging over the room.

We march for long
and traverse through a’flame
And still we sing that hopeful song
Till we see home again

Though night be long
And fog be thick as snow
We must be strong
And still our feet must go

For this is our land
And this is our call
Together we shall stand
Together we shall fall

For that while it did not matter who was who, or what everyone was called. General sat with militia, and militia sat with archer. For they were all men, and all souls, ready to face death in the morning with anxiously pounding hearts, and fists as strong as mountains.

Away from the fire, Malice sat in silence, bathed in shadow and cold upon the ancient stone. He stared at his hands- his bloody hands- and brought them over his face, hiding away from the world that he was sure saw him as the worst kind of murderer. He stayed like this for a while, until he felt a sudden warmth upon his shoulder.

Somewhere in the months that had passed, an unspoken understanding had grown. Though they never said so, both knew they had a connection, but had to keep it pressed away. There were more important matters, and even then a thin veil of uncertainty. But now that death seemed impassable, and eternity had opened its gluttonous mouth before them, the veil was pulled away and the thought of separation seemed all too cold.

Quietly, Titania sat down behind Malice and lay her cheek on his shoulder, placing her hand on his; her eyes did not see the blood which stained his fingers. There was silence for a while, until finally she muttered something un-intelligible. Still, he knew what she had said, and nodded in silence.

“Must you fight tomorrow?” she asked, quietly “Please….I think you can still leave- you have the power to do so… if you take arms tomorrow -”

“I can’t just leave.” He replied, never looking at her “These men… they have nowhere to go, so why should I? Besides…” he lifted his hand and stared at it “Whatever fate I receive is the decision of the gods. If it be my death tomorrow, then perhaps they mean to punish me.”

“I do not know what gods are present in this world, but I know that the ones of mine would not punish you with darkness. In these past few months, you have lived as a hero and shown true areté. Please, do not send yourself to a fate that you do not deserve.”

“Magus-”

“Magus died bravely. His wound was to the front and he had no choice in the matter.”

“You’re wrong…” Malice muttered, “He had a choice. He chose to fight, just as I have. I cannot send him to his death and then back away from that which he gave his life for. He was one of my greatest friends, and I cannot let him die without finishing what he started.”

“And what then? Once you destroy the demons here, what shall you do if you are still alive?”

Malice fell silent and turned his head away.

“You have to understand… I have responsibilities as a man- I am not some beast who watches his kin fall to pieces and runs away to hide in a den. Just as I am not a man who can live knowing that I have murdered my best friend. Both of these deeds are beyond my fathoming. Don’t you see? Trying to convince me is useless…my mind was made up from the time I was born.”

“…or perhaps even before then…

I…Llideah knew when Gadriel was going to his death. And still he did not believe her. You were foolish once, please do not be again!”

“What you see as foolishness is nothing more than conscience. You have to trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“How can I convince you to change your mind?”

He shook his head once more “You can’t. My mind is made up. Tomorrow I fight, and if I die, then it is with the knowledge that I have not blackened Magus’ memory.”

Titania was quiet for a while, but a question pressed at her lips, and finally emerged quietly, dripping in shame “…aren’t you afraid?”

He smiled slightly and shook his head, though his palms ached and his fingers trembled.

“Then why am I afraid?” she asked “Everyone here…they’re all so brave. They know they’re going to die, and yet they smile and laugh. When that soldier pulled me away, I thought that that was the end, and I was afraid. I tried to be calm, but I was afraid. How can you so easily march up to death and not be frightened?”

He turned to face her, seeing the tears which wanted to spill from her eyes, but were held back by shame and stubbourness.

“There is nothing to be afraid of.” He said, taking her hand and placing it over the pendant which he still wore “You see…Phoenix watches.”

She felt the object, but more noticed the way in which his hand shook. She knew then that it was not only she who had come to fear death. He had as well, only he was better at disguising it. Slowly, she wrapped her fingers around his fist and smiled as best she could.

“You see,” she laughed, looking down “I’ve become like a child again. I was afraid when I came to a new world, and now that I’m going to another, I’ve become so once more.” She smiled, and raised her eyes “But that first time, you were there for me…and you’ve watched me since then. I know that sometimes I don’t seem grateful, and I act like I don’t need any help, but knowing you were there for me…it really did make all the difference. And now that we’re here, and it’s almost over… I just hope that you know how much you’ve meant… I think you were right about me finding my home...Malice- you're...you're my dearest... friend...”

She looked down, unsure if he would laugh at the way her words dripped with too much sentimentality. Moments passed as awkward hours, but soon she felt warmth on her temple as he rested his chin upon it, ignoring the way death slowly snaked around him as dark as a shadow. At the slightest touch, she brought her arms up and wrapped them around his back, coming closer and hiding in the warmth of his chest. As if it were a natural response, he too closed his arms around her, not shrinking back as her tears ran down his shoulder. He made no words of comfort for his friend, yet still the silence was enough, and it drew out her tears, coaxing them with the promise that they were not shameful. With small hands, she clung to him as if afraid at any time he would be snatched away and pulled into the abyss.

Life was nothing but the present; the past and future melted into nothingness.

For this is our land
And this is our call
Together we shall stand
Together we shall fall

The man repeated his song over and over, his notes filling the air and lulling the soldiers into a state of solemnity. Here they sat, the last of their kind- men who stood before the awaiting chasm of death, and showed no fear. For though the snow fell outside, they were warm in each other's company, and did not even notice.

 

[Dark FFnut]

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The Netherrealms, The Year Infinity Minus One, Magus's Soul

So... THIS is what it's come down to? After all of that. The happiness, the sadness, going after everyone who'd harm Schala, trying to get back with her...

...and THIS is how it ends?

I should've known my life would end up a big anti-climax. And then there's also the life flashing before the eyes bit. Might as well get it over with...

*************************************************************
Earth, The Year 12,007 BC, The Kingdom Of Zeal

Magus stood in the center of the room as people rushed about, moving at an incredibly accelerated pace. He managed to get the gist of what was going on; Queen Zeal was giving birth to her second child. Time flashed by quickly, so he only managed to get a glimpse of the child. The child's name was Janus.

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Earth, The Year 12,000 BC, The Kingdom Of Zeal

A seven-year-old boy, with his pet cat following, meets a small group of people; a silent young man, a spoiled girl, an intelligent-looking young woman, a moving machine, a woman who looked like she lived in a cave, and...

...a humanoid frog. He felt a strange... connection with this frog, but he also felt something even more sinister. He walked up to the silent man.

"The black wind howls..." said Janus.

The man looked at the boy, surprised.

"...One among you... will shortly perish..." With that, Janus bolted out of the room.

*************************************************************
Earth, The Year 12,000 BC, The Kingdom Of Zeal

They stick a sword in the Mammon Machine! Now the creature "Lavos" escapes the earth. He kills the young man Janus had just spoken to. Now a portal, everyone going everywhere, everywhen! The Gurus, Janus, and...

...Schala...

**************************************************
Earth, The Year 590 AD, Guardia Woods

The imps attacking. Now the big green one! Schala, Schala, he's gonna hurt me help!

Wait, no. He wants to be my friend. Call me Magus? Yay!

*************************************************
Earth, The Year 600 AD, Denadoro Falls

Long time no see, Cyrus. Here to get the sword that can kill me? Too bad! You're dead now, and...

...who's this?

Well, an apprentice! I needn't kill you. Instead, I think I'll turn you into a frog!

A botched spell, the young man only half transforms, retaining humanoid structure and language but frog features. He goes over the waterfall, he's not coming back!

*************************************************
Earth, The Year 600 AD, Magus's Castle

Damn! The frog returns, and with the sword that Cyrus was after. The spell ruined, Lavos isn't coming - how am I supposed to get revenge now? A portal, sucked in...

*************************************************************
Earth, The Year 12,000 BC, The Kingdom Of Zeal

A man in a purple cloak, the Prophet. The Prophet decides to be there when the Mammon Machine was used, as he remembers from the last time he was in this time period. When he was the prince. The man who was with the frog, killed by Lavos? Everything happens again! Then he awakens, the man's friends, the frog reconciles, and...

...Magus joins them in their quest to...

...bring him back.

That's the first memory I want. How did we bring Crono back?

****************************************************
Earth, The Year Infinity, the End Of Time

The old man, Gaspar, Guru of TIme. An egg? The Time Egg! That's it! That's how we brought him back. Now... why did I want that memory? Better continue...

************************************************
Earth, The Year 1999 AD, Inside Lavos

Lavos has been guiding the evolution of the world for millions of years. And now it's over. He's destroyed. We're all returning home... I release the curse on Frog, reverting him back to Glenn. Cyrus's apprentice. And now a true knight himself, with the Masamune. I go on a search for Schala through space-time.

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Palis, The Year 699 Ishia, Gracia

Little did I know I'd be dying in this world. Oh well. Schala's supposed to be here. Nichi, Malice, Belial, Titania, Aikia... now Queen Ishia dead, Aikia takes over! Aikia leaves us and we begin to defend Gracia against the demons. The Lavos Spawn... Schala dead? Suddenly a flash, and Glenn's returned! And now Nichi stone!

That's the other memory I wanted. But... maybe there's more...

*************************************************
Palis, The Year 0 Aikia, Chimera Forest

Illusions, Brain joins us, Doreen? Doreen saves me. Titania's memories, I figure out how to defeat the monster that's killing her memories! Glenn wields Mastermune now, we leave and go north.

****************************************
Palis, The Year 0 Aikia, Ramodin

That's him. Kain. The demon who killed Schala. Me and Malice. A hectic fight, ending with...

Malice. It wasn't your fault. I was reckless. You fought the way you knew best, I fought the way that I felt most fitting. I should have just stayed behind and cast magic like I usually do. That's my name, right? Magus. I shouldn't have been so close. But I've found the memories I want. Now how can I use them correctly?

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The Netherrealms, The Year Infinity Minus One, Magus's Soul

"So, Magus, come up with anything?" asked Janus.

Magus looked at the young boy. "All I've got is that we could use the Time Egg to save Nichi."

Janus nodded slowly. "But what else can we do? I mean, are you sure you would want to save Nichi with it?"

Magus nodded. "Nichi, Ishia..."

"...Schala..." whispered Janus.

Magus continued. "And... me."

A slight tremble through the darkness.

What was the start of all this?
When did the cogs of fate begin to turn?

Perhaps it is impossible to grasp that answer now,
From deep within the flow of time...

Magus looked up, not daring to believe. "Is it..."

But, for a certainty, back then,
We loved so many, yet hated so much,
We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...

Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
Whilst our laughter echoed,
Under cerulean skies...

Janus looked up in joy. "Schala?"

"Janus... I'm here..."

"...Schala is here for you."

Magus recognized the words. He had spoken them himself, although with the words Janus and Schala transposed, during his search for her in Palis.

With those words spoken, Magus had done something he hadn't done since the Lavos Spawn told him that Schala was dead.

He began to hope.

((When Magus's life is flashing before his eyes, you have to realize the incredible pace, hence its hectic and confusing wording of the events.))

 

[Dark FFnut]

((Gah, this thing is going nowhere, come ON people!))

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The Netherrealms, The Year Infinity Minus One, Darkness

Despite Magus's joy, there was still one other who felt pure anger at Magus's death. This anger wasn't over the fact that Magus had left this world, but rather, that he had left this world with Magus.

A terrible curse issued from Variel's mouth. The floating, formless mist that was Variel trembled slightly with its intense anger.

"SEVEN!" he shouted. He drew another breath. "HUNDRED!" Another breath. "YEARS!"

His words echoed endlessly in nothingness. His anger was beyond words. At the final battle with Kani, he watched Noah prepare for the battle. Unfortunately, Variel already knew the outcome. The entire Council did.

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Palis, The Last Year Of The Great War, The Council Chambers

Lord Nihel sat in his grand throne, Lord Arel's chair next to it. Around the table sat Safriel, Dakael, Kadael, Variel, and both Lords. Only Gadriel was missing.

"Where is... where is Gadriel?" Nihel's voice sounded tired, old, like he had just undergone a great ordeal.

"Gadriel is the youngest member of us all, my lord. You need to remember that he is the only one of us with any family left outside of this Council. With his father's recent death..." whispered Variel.

"Ah... yes... where he has gone?"

At this, Safriel smiled a little. "He's probably going to look, himself, for his father's murderer, seeing as how that girl Llideah refused to tell him."

"If we could just tell him that Kani-"

"Silence, Variel!" thundered Lord Arel. "You've said it yourself. Gadriel is too attached to this world to be able to keep secrets among the Seven. You will not tell him about Kani. Besides, myself and Nihel have a matter to discuss with you all."

Dakael spoke up this time. "What's it about? This war, maybe? What's going on?"

Nihel nodded grimly. "This world is nearly finished. That girl Llideah gave power over Fate to Kani. It's impossible to save this world now, so we shall leave it to rot in its own state. Now we go on to another world and-"

"What the hell?" Variel stood in outrage. "You're just going to... to let Palis be annihilated? No way!"

Nihel glared at Variel. "Enough, Variel! I refuse to alter this world any more! What's done is done! This world wouldn't be able to be saved anyway, not for seven hundred years! What could you do? Nothing!"

Variel hadn't even heard anything past "seven hundred years." He stormed out of the room and drew a runic circle on the ground. Speaking ancient binding words, he bound his soul Palis for seven centuries. Drawing more circles, he soon bound the souls of Gadriel, Noah, Llideah, and even Kani for the same amount of time.

"In seven hundred years... we all come back and do this all over again."

"HEY!" screamed Safriel. Arel stood by her, as did Nihel.

Nihel raised a hand. "Variel! You've expressly altered the will of the Seven! You hereby-"

"Blow. It. Out. Your. Ass."

Nihel's eyes widened. "Fine! Variel, you are excommunicated! Now, I command you to leave at once!"

Nihel, Safriel, and Arel all re-entered the chamber. Variel stared at the door for a few minutes, before his brain began to fully comprehend the screams of agony within. Demons soon exited, covered in the blood of the five Council members in the chamber.

"He he he... so, now they can't ruin master Kani's plan! We win!"

"Yeah! Let's get out of here now, so we can get rewarded!"

Cackling, the demons vanished. Variel stared at the space where they once stood, suddenly remembering that his charge, Noah, wanted him to speak to Llideah. He dashed off into the darkness.

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Palis, The Last Year Of The Great War, Behind the Temple of Ishtar

Variel heard Llideah walk up behind him. "Hello," she whispered.

"Come to see me, Llideah?"

Llideah shrugged. "Depends on who you are. Noah told me to meet his friend here."

Variel laughed. "That all depends on what Noah meant by friend. I am more of a guardian than anything else. The seven of us are to make sure everything runs smoothly."

"Seven?"

"Yes, seven. There are seven of us, and we're supposed to make sure that everything happens as it's supposed to. But it's not - not yet, anyway."

"What are you talking about?"

Variel peered through the rain, noticing that the girl seemed "Two of us have been sent to guard certain people. We're supposed to make sure that, at least, those two people fulfill their fates. But I changed the rules."

"What?" asked Llideah.

"I've cast a spell, and a dangerous one at that. I was excommunicated from the Seven because of it. It's a good thing I was. I was going to be reporting when they attacked."

"They?"

"The demons. The other five were slaughtered - Lord Nihel, ruler of the Seven; Safriel, Lady of Pain; Dakael and Kadael, the twins; and even Lord Arel, the Unfated. Only I and Gadriel survived."

"So what happened?"

"I cast a spell. I chose several souls to be sealed until the correct time. Specifically, the events that are unfolding shouldn't be unfolding for seven hundred years. So I sealed the souls of you, Noah, Gadriel, Kani, and myself. Seven hundred years from now, our souls will be bound to others. These other people will be our vessels to reenact these events. In seven hundred years, we will have this conversation again, Llideah, and we won't even realize that it's been so long. When that happens, I will protect Noah, just as Gadriel will protect you. After our seven hundred year intermission, we'll act out this exquisite play once more, but this time the ending will change to the way it's meant to be. I feel sorry for our new hosts, but it's necessary to keep them. When it's all done, we can depart for the afterlife and leave them to their normal lives, but-"

"Wait. You're denying us all the afterlife?"

"Twisted little game, isn't it? But necessary. Sorry, Llideah, but there's still a few more acts to go before we can take our final bows."

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The Netherrealms, The Year Infinity Minus One, Darkness

Those last words rang in Variel's ears. He remembered himself and Llideah... no, Magus and Titania, having that same conversation on the airship. He knew that even with Magus's death, he was the least important of these bound souls. And, should his friends discover a way to restore Magus, perhaps Variel could also return...

 

[Zerlina]

Late into the night, the men kept the oil lamps lit, their source a gutter system which ran along the city walls and through the homes, distributing precious light to those who needed it. It was an invention exclusive to the city, and one that proved to help keep peace among the townsfolk.

In the morning, dawn’s rosy fingers shone through the arched windows, painting a masterpiece of light and shadow on the stone ground. Through this, the rippling darkness lay solid next to the white of the sky, never mixing but always remaining one after the other. Outside, the air was white and filled with swirling snow, falling like moments in the glistening banks of memory.

All night, the cold had slithered through the windows and Malice, filling his blood and bones with ice, and cutting at his hands like red knives. He awoke, in more pain than usual, feeling the frigid air inside his chest like icy fingers.

He looked outside to where the snow fell and shuddered, wishing that he could do something to stop the tumbling white. It struck him then that he was truly alive- that he was seeing what he was seeing, and that every breath was a miracle coursing through a strong but delicate body.

Soon, it would all end.

It would stop.

He would be separated from the sunny, beautiful world, and forgotten beneath the mud while life went on without him. There was no way out now.

Angrily, he raised his fist, slamming it down hard on the stone floor. It was not something he thought about- simply an instinct. A reaction to fear.

Fear? No… that wasn’t allowed. Everyone else was allowed to be afraid, but he wasn’t. There was no one to watch him- to look after and soothe his mind. He was alone, and he would remain so for all eternity.

“Wake up…” he muttered, wanting someone anyone to hear him, and to distract him.

Somewhere in the bridge between sleep and consciousness, he had lost his way, and now his mind wandered paths that he would never choose to travel.

What came next was a blur- a slow, gray mesh of stone, of light, of armour and of useless words. He wandered the black and white quietly, the others seeing in him an ethereal heroism, an inspiration and a strength which filled them with hope for tomorrow’s sun.


There was the sound of a horn.

*​

The battlefield moved quickly, and existed in a perpetual wheel of sound and pain. Blood spattered the frozen mud, where men lay lifeless against the crimson snow.

Kain rode through the town atop a dark brown mount, swinging his sword with so much skill that men fell dead in his path. With expert hands, he pulled at the reigns, bringing his horse into a sharp turn toward the steps of the temple. He would burn it, he thought, to set an example of what he thought of his enemy.

Without halting, he grabbed hold of one of his soldier’s spears, setting it on fire with his own demon magic, and riding toward the stone steps of his destination. He lowered his wrist, bringing the flame to the wooden support, when suddenly he was dismounted. Something had pushed him from his steed.

Without faltering, he hit the ground in perfect balance, quickly swinging his sword at the fast-moving soldier who had taken him down.

”You again…” he muttered, rotating his wrist above his head so that his blade turned toward Malice’s forehead.

“I’m happy to see you to.” The Theiran replied, catching his enemy’s forearm and driving his dagger toward his stomach.

Kain brought up his other fist, knocking the blade with the back of his covered arm and punching Malice beneath the chin.

The mage faltered but did not stop, he tucked in his fingers and threw up his arm, driving the base of his palm upward into Kain’s nose.

The demon cried aloud, bringing his hands over his bloody face. Without hesitation, Malice opened his palm, sweeping a gust of wind toward his enemy. Kain fell backward, hitting the walls of the temple.

The Theiran ran toward him, ready to deliver another blow, only to be stopped when Kain pulled the burning spear from the ground and thrust it toward him. The object missed, landing in an abandoned stall and spreading its flames quickly.

Soon, the two were separated from the rest of the battlefield by a wall of smoke and fire- an impassable labyrinth which spelled death for one of them.

Kain laughed, red flames and hatred flickering in his eyes. He raised his spear and sword, the sweat from the firey heat dripping off of his greasy hair. With strong arms, he whipped the bladed weapon forward, narrowly missing his enemy.

“You’re lasting longer than your friend did.” Kain muttered, arrogantly “But then again, with him you did all the work for me.”

Malice called the wind to give him lightness, and sprung from the ground with an airy grace. His twin daggers pulsed in his hands, and with ease he slashed Kain across the face.

Blood spattered on the ground, as the demon grabbed at pain, losing steady grip on his spear.

Malice moved back, kicking the wooden object in half with precision before bringing his foot sideways into his enemy’s face.

Kain winced in pain but grabbed the Theiran’s foot, dropping the already broken spear in order to do so. He was burning with anger now, pulsing with hate. He twisted Malice’s ankle to the side and was about to break it, but the air grew light and Malice pushed his foot to the side with the force of a storm. Kain fell back once more, but did not even have a chance to recover. The flames swirled around him and crept up his cape, consuming it too quickly to be natural.

He saw his death now- he stared at the eternal and knew he was about to plunge into nothingness. Angrily, he ran toward Malice, bringing up his sword and thrusting it with all his power, only to have it caught between the warrior’s crossed daggers. The two struggled like this for a moment, strength pressed against strength in a last attempt at victory.

“You can’t overpower me, you little bastard.” Kain gritted his teeth, angrily, his own adrenaline and hatred taking over.

“I don’t need to overpower you” Malice answered, with a fierceness never seen before.

With one last effort, he grabbed the broken spear and hurled it at the oil gutters that ran above Kain.

There was a scream, and in a burst of red and black, it was all over.

 

[Zerlina]

*​

The air was cold, but the wind was filled with ash. Titania coughed, her body feebly trying to rid itself of the poison that was everywhere.

The battlefield was smoky now, and the men could scarcely see the ground before them. They cried aloud as death found them one by one, striking their names from the list of existence. Though they stood and fought together, the enemy sword ushered in a journey they would have to make alone.

The walls crumbled as more siege weapons arrived, the ancient stone falling to the cold, steel battering rams. As the gray stone tumbled in a cloud of dust, the men scattered. But fate seemed cruel to one, and as he fled, the oil gutter collapsed, following a weakness further away. The man jumped back, but slipped, unable to rise and aware of the fire that was making its way toward him.

There was a burst of white and in a moment, the soldier found himself surrounded by flame, but somehow protected. Perhaps some higher power had kept him alive? Or perhaps something closer to the ground.

Though the city fell around them and fire blazed along the rampart, there now was hope. In losing Kain, the demons had lost all organization, and now there were no more advances they could make.

*​

Light and air trailed after Titania’s hands as she skillfully controlled her magic. Her motions were fluid, more refined than when she had first begun, and –indeed- more effective. Now there was a grace -a beauty in the skill- and it seemed almost impossible that such light could end life.

The demons were moving back now, slowly withdrawing from the city they no longer knew how to conquer. Titania ran along the gate, her icy cheeks flushed with excitement. That same adrenaline that had flowed through her in Gracia now returned to her veins, this time pulsing at her control, unconsciously pressing her to continue.

“We’ve retaken our city!” cried one of the men, seeing how the demons fled, and now only a few remained.

They cheered of victory, chiding on each other as they finished off the last of the enemy.

But all was not over.

Titania raced back to the wall where the fallen soldier still stood, protected by the aura she had created. By now the fire had dissipated, and it was safe to allow him out into the world.

She kneeled, helping the fallen man up and preparing to heal his wounds, when suddenly the cold air was broken, and a shadow of fear washed over her. Cast on the ground before her was a shadow of a beast, and in a moment the greatest force she’d ever felt, pulled at her shoulder.

She bled from where the hand had touched her, and even her own magic could not stop the burning. The force had caused her to turn and when she stared up at her attacker, she was struck with fear.

When he was so close, he could see into her soul- her eyes glass broken with his sharp gaze. He had her by the neck, holding her steady so he could stare at her like this, and see the fear he now instilled. Coldly, he touched her cheek, seeming satisfied when she shuddered in pain.

“Marble has become porcelain.’ He laughed, knowing that now she could not stop him “What is this new life you have, Llideah? One where you are afraid? One where I can pierce your spirit?”

He had slipped here, and in a moment he realized it, yet he kept his composure, pretending not to have faltered.

“I always could have. I always knew what you hid from me- what you did not tell me. But you see, Llideah, this body…this version of me is missing that.”

His speech was inconsistent and she could tell that he was mad. The hate, the insanity in his eyes raged, but still she could not argue- her throat was closed with pain at his clenched hand.

“Little Delilah, now you’ll see what it means to be faithful to a lord.” He smirked, as she screamed, blood and spirit flowing from her neck only to disappear in his hands “Your life is mine now- when I die, you die. You can’t betray me anymore- you’ll only be destroying yourself. From now on, you can’t walk away from me. And from now on what you see is no longer secret.”

She burned with pain but now a new spark flickered in her mind. He had done it. Once more he had sealed his own fate.

With this a feeble smile came to her face, and as it did, Kani’s grin disappeared. She stared at him, unafraid, and laughed despite the tightness in her throat. She knew now how Llideah had destroyed him the first time.

“You are such a fool…” she smirked.

 

[~Hidan~]

With Kain out of commission Kani came storming across the field annihilating everything in his path. Single blows took out hundreds of men and sent their bodies flying. Even his own men would get killed in the way oh Kani’s mighty Halberd.

The smoke dissipated around Titania, she could breath again normally and off in the distance she could see the battle as Kani tore through the ranks of soldiers. She looked about to find Malice standing there with blood covering most of his face and jacket. He looked strait at Kani and smiled. “Don’t worry Titania it will all be over soon.”

Malice charged towards Kani with the blinding speed only he could achieve, unfortunately Kani saw him coming and had his spear waiting. Before Malice could stop the broad side of the spear caught him and sent him flying bones could be heard snapping all over the battle field. Lifelessly Malice’s Body landed on the field. Titania cried out “Malice!!”

---------

Meanwhile Kirby, Glenn and Syne sat in their cells. Something strange had been happening for about three hours now, every so often they would hear drilling noises from below them.

“What do you suppose that is?” Glenn said putting his ear to the floor.

“Not sure but its getting closer.” Kirby said also with his ear to the floor.

Syne sat still in the corner trying to cover herself up with what little clothes she had on wishing she could get the hell out of this place. Then with a loud thud the stones below the division of the two cells collapsed out from the floor revealing a tunnel. And up popped three heads, it was three dwarfs in miner’s helms and cloths. “Hope we are not too late to rescue you all.” The first one said. “We got word that you’d been caught from the Capt’an, we are the dwarfs of Galmon crater.”

“Great we were heading to find your people. Can you get us out of here and help us find our friends?” Glenn said pointing down the hole.

“What do you think we are here for?” The dwarf said

“Can you get my stuff for me, its right over there?” Syne said pointing at the case in the hallway.

“We sure can miss.” The dwarf said prying open the bars with a large pickaxe.

Syne retrieved her stuff and put back on her clothes. She grabbed her sword and cut off the magic restrictors that had been put on her. “Albright ready to go! Do you know where Magus, Titania and Malice are?”

“Titania has been retrieved but Magus is dead and Malice is as well, but Titania would not go with out him.” The dwarf said “Quickly we must be going.”

Malice dead! Magus dead! How could this be? Syne thought as she entered the tunnel last. A few hours later they arrived at an underwater river where a boat was waiting.

“This is as far as we go.” The Dwarf said pointing at the boat. “Please get on the boat the others will bring you to the city safely, we have tracks to cover.” The dwarf said pulling out a couple of sticks of dynamite

 

[Zeromus_X]

"Hmm, what have I gotten myself into?" Kirby thought to himself as he looked around.
"Kirby! Kirby!!" exclamed a muffled voice.
"Eh?" Kirby inquired.
"It's me! Me, Dude!"
"Oh, I almost forgot about you guys! Well, I'll just let you out then-"
"No, not in front of everyone!"
"Hey Kirby, are you alright?" asked Syne.
"Oh yes, I'm fine." Kirby replied, as he shuffled backwards. I just...have to...take care...of something..." "Oh, well, okay then." Said Syne. "I'm sure there's a bathroom on the boat though..."

***********************************************

Afterwards, some point backwards in the tunnel, Kirby released his three feline companions. "Nyaa! Feels great to be out of the bag, for now." said Misty."We've been thinking Kirby, you know..." said Sneaky."That it'd be best...if you stayed here, in Palis!"
"Oh okay...say what?!" exclamed Kirby.
"Yeah, you know, stay in Palis. And we're leaving." explained Dude. "Wha, why?! Why would you leave?! Besides, this universe is far too graphic for me. It's best not to get involved in whatever it is thats going on here. Glenn and Syne seem to be involved in something big, whatever it is. All this talk of demons and reincarnation is making me confused!" said Kirby. "Heh, and Syne says I look like her cousin, or something."
"Well, you may have been, in a past life. You never know" said Sneaky. "But anyway, we all thought about it, and we do think it's best for you to stay here. Call it destiny or something, but you may even find your 'inspiration' that you want so much!" Said Dude, "clawing" another dimensional vortex.
"Hey, wait, but I-"

Of course it was too late for Kirby, each cat leapt into the portal, Dude clawing it shut behind him.

"Eh......" was all Kirby could say.
"Hey, Sir Kirby!" called out Glenn. "The Dwarves need to use the dynamite now!" "Oh, I see. Well, I'll be on my way!" answered Kirby.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Kirby asked himself with a sigh.

 

[Dark FFnut]

((*chucks a Prinny at Seph, then dives for cover* Bad Seph. No cookie for you.))

*************************************************************************
The Netherrealms, The Year Infinity Minus One, Darkness

Still floating in the darkness, Variel began to ponder everything. "It... it was fate, wasn't it? The... the way I died... and I did the same to my host..." He drew a deep breath. "Magus... your death was my fault..."

*****************************************************************
Palis, The Last Year Of The Great War, Kain's Castle

Gadriel confronted Kain, the blade of Eithne in his hand. "Demon!" he cried. "Where is he? Show me the murderer!"

Kain laughed, drawing his silver sword. "Fool," he rasped. "You know not what you face. Your ignorance shall bring you into eternal repose."

A blast of electricity issued from Gadriel, lost in his own fury. It found the sword like... well, like a lightning bolt to a piece of metal. Kain dropped the sword, and it lost its cohesiveness, splattering on the floor. Drawing his lance, the demon charged. The blade of the gods brushed aside the demons weapon, but a blast of energy caught Gadriel and he fell backwards. Cackling, Kain raised his lance, pointing it directly at the man's chest.

"May the gods condemn you to eternal torture," spat Gadriel. Kain only smiled as he drove the point down.

And missed.

By the time Gadriel had figured out what was happening, Variel had already knocked Kain aside. The lance lay off to the side of the room, forgotten. A quick punch knocked the demon to the floor and left Variel panting. Gadriel rushed over to the body of the great demon, only to get slashed by the now-solid silver sword that Kain had managed to grab from the floor. Variel knocked the sword loose again, and shouted, "Gadriel! Now!"

Blood in his eyes and unable to differentiate between friend and foe, Gadriel fired a bolt of lightning, blasting one of the two battling figures onto his back.

A few seconds passed as Gadriel waited for Variel to assure him that the battle was won.

Instead of Variel's assurance, however, the only sound that reached his ears was Kain's cackle.

Gadriel let loose a second bolt, toppling the demon. This second blast had nowhere near the voltage of the one that felled Variel, unfortunately, and Gadriel knew it. "Kain... I swear... on my father's grave... on Variel's grave... that I will be the one who puts you into yours."

The lance, sword, and demon all vanished with those words, but the echoes of the cackle remained in the air. Blinking through the blood, sweat, and tears, Gadriel silently picked up Variel's body and carried him out.

*************************************************************************
The Netherrealms, The Year Infinity Minus One, Darkness

Tears fell from Variel's incorporeal face as he recalled those final moments. Filled with utmost sorrow, he shuddered. That's when he realized what was really wrong. "The binding spell is over... why haven't I gone on to the afterlife yet?"

*********************************************
Palis, The Year 0 Aikia, Kain's Castle

A small moth flapped out of the castle as hard as it could when Kani had begun his rampage. This moth, unbeknownst to anyone else, was Lavos Gamma, one of the only remaining Lavos Spawn in Palis. With Kain dead, Gamma had no protection from the other demons under Kani. Flying as quickly as he could, he attempted to get away as fast as possible.

CRUNCH.

He hadn't planned on Kani throwing Malice into the air at that moment, and Lavos Gamma met a rather abrupt end.

((Hey, we have too many villains to give them all a dignified death, right? And finally, my next post, I will take control of Glenn - I'm sure that Masa, Mune, and Doreen have been too quiet for anyone's tastes anyway.))

 

[Zerlina]

((Yay, Glenn's one of my favourites.

Ok everyone, eat and go to the bathroom now, cause this is a long one))

They camped that night in the tunnel, taking advantage of what little time they had away from danger.

Their fire flickered, painting the stony walls a warm orange, and bringing to light the immediate. What was to come still lay in the dark.

Syne awoke from an unsteady sleep, her neck sore from the rocky ground, and her wrists still pounding from the chains Kani had put on her. Her bright blue eyes flickered amongst the sleeping party, settling for a while on Glenn’s scarred arms. Where he had come about these wounds, she did not know, and the feeling disturbed her.

She closed her eyes once more, making a sad attempt at luring sleep. In this way, the world turned dark. Amongst the steady sound of flowing water, and the crackling of fire, she heard a smaller sound- a soft whimper. She ignored it at first, but when it persisted, she once again opened her eyes.

“Glenn…”

“mf…?”

“Kirby?”

The artist snored loudly and rolled over.

“Men…” muttered Syne, rising to her feet and rubbing her eyes.

Her pink fingers clutched a lantern that swung and creaked as she walked amid the cave. The air was damp and heavy, and with every step she felt the heat of a shadowy demon breathing down her back.

She turned toward a small opening in the cave, where a thin spring emerged and flowed down the wall, landing in a meager pool. Here, she stopped, the light from her lantern revealing a shadowy figure.

Long white sleeves draped into the water, their tattered edges grayed. The figure had its arms crossed around its chest as if cold; its hands clutched its arms, nails pressed hard into white flesh. Like this, it shivered -though not entirely from the cold- and wept, tears flowing into the pool like so much blood.

Syne knew who it was, but did not approach. For a while, she simply watched, unsure of what to do and what to say.

Titania could see the light from the lantern, and knew from the shadow that it must be Syne. Still, she did not turn, but instead remained stationary, clutching a small dagger in her white hands. The tears rippled down her cheeks, making her hair stick to her cold skin.

“What do you want?” She asked, with a tone more harsh than she had intended. Her voice echoed along the walls.

Syne was silent, and did not move.

“Leave me alone, please.” Titania muttered, looking away so as to hide the tears she had forbidden for so long.

Syne turned away but did not leave. For a moment there was a silence, filled only by the sound of the running water.

“I know what it’s like to lose someone…” she said, quietly “…I’ve lost so many people dear to me.”

Silence.

“When I was younger, I…” she trailed off, old pain surfacing “…I lost someone who meant the world. And I know what its like…when your chest feels like collapsing, when your hands ache and you can’t even move without being in pain. When you turn every corner and expect to see him…when just one word would be enough to make it all stop.

I know what it’s like to have that emptiness and to yearn for something so impossible…to want to grasp…to hold…to find something real…

I know what it means to wonder, and to find nothing. I know what it means to have someone gone.

I know what it means to be silent and to yearn for sound.”

She paused for a moment, and Titania thought she might be brushing away her own tears.

“You never really understand why people die, and letting go seems wrong. How could you let go? How could you reduce him to a burden- something that must be gotten away with?”

“…I…I want to go back…it would have been so easy then…if he had just known… or had moved a little differently…it was so fast, and then just like that…it was over…”

Syne moved closer and sat beside her friend, wrapping her in a sisterly embrace. For a while, they stayed like this, spilling tears for the ones that they had lost. In each other’s sorrow they saw both saw themselves and knew it was no longer someone who did not understand who was trying to comfort them.

The quiet that came next was strange, filled with the echoing the running water and the short sounds of pain.

“Tell me what happened.” Muttered Syne “Tell me what they did to him.”

Titania nearly collapsed and, if not for the other girl, she would have crumbled to the ground.

*​

 

[Zerlina]

“Malice!”

Her voice echoed through his head, almost distantly, as his eyes met Kani’s. In an un-calculated move, the warlord twisted his spear, ushering on even more pain than before. Fiercely, he withdrew his weapon and smiled.

“To think that this is what Gadriel has been reduced to…” Kani pushed his opponent to the ground and kicked him hard in the ribs, kneeling beside him with an arrogant sneer “Don’t worry. You’ll soon have company.”

He glanced up at the horrified figure that watched them from a distance.

“You may want to collect him now.” Kani called to Titania as he rose to his feet “It will be much harder once the animals get to him.”

Slowly, he backed away and watched, amused by the situation. A sick joy filled him as he saw the passing of his most powerful enemy.



Despite the icy ground, Titania ran her fastest toward Malice, collapsing at his side, and discarding any pride. Instinctively, she reached for his wound, but he brought up his own shaky fingers, clasping them over hers and laying them on his chest.

He coughed, the most horrifying cough. Blood ran from his cold mouth.

“Let me heal you…” she insisted, but he shook his head.

“There isn’t a spell that could close this wound.” He replied, “…Just stay…stay with me…”

He stroked her fingers, and she wrapped her arms around him, careful not to press against his wound. Nothing mattered now- death had scraped through consciousness and restrain. All that remained now was the truth.

With cold lips, she kissed his face over and over again, tears flowing onto his cheeks the whole time.

“Don’t leave me…” she pleaded, and he smiled, placing a hand on her chin.

“You make a good case…” he attempted to joke, but was interrupted by a painful cough that tore at his chest “Listen to me, I need you to do something … take my dagger to my father …tell him what’s happened to me.”

“No…” she shook her head “You don’t need me to do that…you’re not dying…just stay still and we’ll get you back, you’ll see.”

He smiled but shook his head. It was as if he had not heard what she had said “I’m sorry I can’t finish the journey with you… I know I promised to look out for you, but I…we’ll find each other again. We already know…death…war…even seven hundred years can’t keep us apart.

No matter what, we’ll find each other again… and again… until we’re allowed to be together.”

She forced a smile but her sadness overpowered her, and she looked down at him through tears, offering a few more tender kisses as his breathing slowed.

His gaze now was distant, and as he looked up at her it seemed as if he were staring elsewhere.

“I never realized before…” he began, forcing a laugh, “…how beautiful the snow…the sun…how beautiful everything is...”

“Save your energy,” she whispered, but he brought his hand to her cheek and held it for a moment, studying her face.

After a few moments he smiled, his voice becoming distant “…at least this time…” he mumbled “I can leave without regret…knowing that this time I didn’t let you die…”

“You’re speaking nonsense.”

“…everything happens for a reason.”

He smiled and shook his head “This life…that life…our souls are the same. I knew what would happen if I hadn’t taken his spear. I knew from the day I began to look deeper in my memory. It wasn’t clear at first, and even until now... but now that death is so close I can see …it was more than just an impulse…”

He forced a smile, but was unable to hide the sadness and longing that lingered behind his bravery. In his eyes lay a sincerity she had never seen before, and in it was written his doom.

“Promise you won’t forget me…” he said, quietly, his breathing slow “I-.”

She placed her hand over his mouth, brushing it against his cheek. Tears in her eyes, she pressed her forehead to his “Never.” she whispered, “I won’t ever forget you.

He smiled and she kissed his lips, filling him with warmth as the life within him faded.

“…I love you”

Titania waited a moment and withdrew, looking at him with tears running down her face. She brought him close, clutching his body as if doing so would keep his spirit with her longer. She kissed his hair, her reddened hands shivering in painful sorrow.

“Don’t leave me!” She cried, her voice broken in sobs as she folded over, unable to hold herself up any longer. Her voice fell to whispers as she clutched his lifeless body, unable to accept that he was dead “…don’t…please… don’t…”

There was no life left in his body now, and though she pleaded with him, he could not answer. All he could do was stare with a glazed, empty expression.




Kani watched from some distance away, as the joy of victory coursed through his body.

“Hige…” he muttered, turning to his general.

The man was unable to look at him, his gaze frozen to the ground “What is it, my lord?” he asked, his voice falling cold in the snowy air.

“…get rid of Llideah.”

Kani turned away, disappearing into a flash of light and shadow, a smile tearing at his steady lips.

Hige could only go so far as to watch the scene before him. He saw the bloodstained snow, the bodies which lay lifeless and would never be properly buried. He saw the shells of people who had once been fathers, brothers, husbands, sons. He saw his own doing, and saw his guilt as clear as the crimson snow.

The wind pulled violently at his cloak, tossing it about as if enraged. He took a breath and moved forward, drawing his dagger from his belt. With heavy footsteps he moved closer, his eyes fixed on the girl who held the lifeless body of a man whose life he had once spared.

Titania felt him behind her and turned to stare, her arms wrapped protectively around Malice. That image – the pain in her eyes, the blood in her hands and on his face; the wound in his stomach, the red of the snow and emptiness of him- it would remain with the general forever and haunt his sleep for years to come.

“Don’t touch him!” she screamed, her words almost indistinguishable through her cracking voice.

Hige backed up slightly; silent in his guilt.

She turned once more to Malice, stroking his hair in an attempt to clean the blood from it.

“It’s not safe for you here…” Hige muttered, and though she heard him, for a time she gave no response.

There was a tenseness in the air until finally Titania broke it, speaking with a voice stronger but smaller than she had ever used.

“…if you’re going to kill me, then do it now.” She said, her words and eyes piercing him like knives “Get rid of me here, where I may be forgotten and never blamed. Leave me where no one will find me.

End my pain.”

He stared at her, his hand trembling uneasily. With cold fingers, he raised his weapon, only to drop it in the red snow.

“I will see to it that his body is properly taken care of.”

She ignored him

“I will perform the funeral rite myself. Now go, and find your friends.”

He knelt down next to her, seeing a part of his own daughter in this despairing soul “…I know you want to stay, but there’s nothing more you can do for him. Go now and finish what he’s started. I will arrange for you to be reunited with your friends.”

She looked at him with wonder and confusion; she still would not release Malice from her hold.

Hige swallowed hard, covering his face with a coldness he hoped would be convincing “Go now. Or else I will sever his hands and he shall wander the after life without them.”

At this, she moved back, but still could not let go. She gave Hige a pleading look, and to her surprise, he moved closer, offering his arms to receive Malice’s body. Slowly, she let go, though as she did so, pain tore through her, ripping her soul in two and leaving her with nothing but emptiness.

“Go…” Hige muttered once more; she did not leave.

Faithfully, she took the bracelets from her wrists and the rings from her pockets, placing them in Malice’s hand before pressing it closed. Still unable to leave, she ran her cold fingers over his pendant, and up to his cheek, her eyes focused on his lifeless face.

“…until we meet again.” She whispered, taking his daggers and slowly rising to her feet

“I will take care of his body. And all the others. This shall not become a mass grave like the other conquered cities. This site shall be remembered. And he shall be remembered.”

“Th-thank you…” muttered Titania, moving away and fighting every desire to turn back around.

Hige watched her leave, and his gaze fell down toward the man who he now held.

“You are so young…” he muttered “…just like I was when I died…”

*​

Kani watched from far atop the rampart, knowing Hige could not see him.

“Hige…” he muttered, and Hector turned toward him “…I knew we could not trust Hige. This was his last mistake.”

“Do you want me to take care of him, my lord?”

“No,” Kani replied “We’ve given him a second chance and still he has betrayed us. I want him to suffer…to show him that disloyalty is rewarded just as much as its opposite.

Allow him to bury the dead, and then bring him to me. Let us see how well he can fabricate a story.”

*​

 

[Zerlina]

Titania walked aimlessly for a while, traveling as far from the city as possible. When at last she was far enough, she collapsed once more. The vision of his still body came to mind- the blood, the pain. But amongst all that, the most painful vision was what lay before her. The most painful vision was the emptiness of the world and the absence of what she had begun to live for.

It was winter the first time, too, wasn’t it?

She closed her eyes, obscure memories playing in her head. There was snow, and stone, and in the midst of a gray and dismal sky, there was him.

Desperately, she tried to understand her vision, but it was cloudy and strange, obscured by a misty fog.

He stood there in the midst of the storm; with timid footsteps, she approached, only to watch from the distance as he walked into darkness, leaving her alone.

 

[Dark FFnut]

************************************************
Palis, The Year 0 Aikia, Dwarf Tunnels

Glenn woke up suddenly, thanks to a few annoying voices keeping him from sleeping peacefully.

(Glenn! This is really important!)

Rubbing his eyes, the knight glanced at the weapon beside him. "Truly, this hath better be important..."

Oh, Glenn, this is. This really is. See, in your dreams, Doreen, uh...

Saw someone...

"Who?"

(That's just it. I don't know. When I saw him he identified himself as Noah and said that Gadriel and Variel were dead at this point, and Llideah had come to him crying, and explained about their deaths. The only problem is...)

Who are Llideah, Gadriel, and Variel?

(Exactly.)

Glenn shook his head. "I've not a clue." Then he heard the low sobbing noise. "Who art there?"

Syne answered. "It's Titania. She has some... uh... unsettling news for us..."

Glenn grabbed the weapon and crawled over. "What?"

Through the sobs, Glenn could make out a few of Titania's words. Specifically, the words "Magus," "Malice," "dead," and "love," but he couldn't make sense of it. Syne shook her head sadly. "Magus and Malice, they're both..."

Glenn was speechless. He even felt the normally rambunctious spirits in the Mastermune fall still. He stood up, holding the blade in the air. "Who did it. Tell me who killed them. I'll..."

Syne stood as well. "Kani. It had to be Kani."

Glenn nodded solemnly, feeling utter turmoil coursing through him. Then he heard Doreen speak.

(Titania, who is Llideah?)

Titania was too upset to even realize who was speaking to her. Yet despite the fact that she did not fully know, she felt the words flow from her lips on their own. "She died seven hundred years ago, but she's here. She..." Titania trailed off, suddenly realizing the oddity of both the question and the asker.

Glenn, however, ignored this. He held up the sword, both blades gleaming. "GRRIBBIT!" echoed throughout the tunnel.

((Yeah, yeah, so nothing really happened, but so what? Noah's been realized, Glenn knows about Magus and Malice and is out for revenge, and we're definitely approaching the final battle of this story anyway. Besides, I have an idea for all the past-spirits when we get to the final battle - the reason why Variel and now Gadriel haven't gone to the afterlife, despite Variel's spell not being active anymore, will be revealed, among other things.))

 

[~Hidan~]

(FYI I wasnt able to compleat the part of the story that I was on, GF kept buging me, Malice is supposed to be in the city that the others got brought to by the Dwarfs, just in some sort of occoma (sp) and he should wake up once Malice is back, he was supposed to be killed then reserected, but into a state of deep sleep to find some unlocked power)

 

[Zerlina]

(How bout we combine that so that it makes sense when he comes back. He's died, but will be resurrected and in his state of death (I guess spiritual seperation) he was able to achieve whatever state you were talking about. Otherwise it sort of takes away from the idea of a true apotheosis)

 

[Zeromus_X]

(Uh...won't this be kind of spoiler-y for the others (non-people-that write-the story) reading? Or does it really matter? Just curious.)

 

[Zerlina]

((People actually read this story?))

 

[Zeromus_X]

(lol. Well, i always thought that the other people on the forum read it...it'd be kinda hard to miss. Oh well. I was just wondering )

 

[Dark FFnut]

((Dammit, I had another post, but the stupid forums froze on me and by the time I got back the whole post was deleted. But since the last story-post was also mine, I guess I should wait until someone else posts a story-thing, huh? I used to be notorious for posting too many times in stories like this and changing the entire storyline, but I'm better now. In other words, POST PEOPLE!))