Shattered (Altima/Plot Thread/Closed)

[Deleted]

“If you won’t submit to the insanity of the artist’s shattered mind and heart. Perhaps you’ll submit to the chaos and rage of the beast then,” the Void’s words were calm and cold in his dream. A shadow loomed up in the darkness, its eyes glowing crimson and its fangs bared and dripping with malicious intent. It was the true creature that tried to push him into the Dark daily. The one that loved blood and drove the artist mad. The one seeking to swallow him whole.

”No. I won’t fall,”[/i] Deshi told the Void in his dream determined not to be afraid, but the creature could see right through his brave front and see his fear. The creature’s opened mouth tilted upwards into a cruel smile as a cold chuckle escaped it.

”You cannot win. You will submit to me. One way or another,”[/i] the Void said and then vanishing, the darkness fell quiet, leaving Deshi alone within his sleeping mind.

**

Sometime later, dark brown eyes fluttered slightly as Deshi’s mind fought against the heavy sleep and weight upon him. What was going on? Why did he feel so odd today? He struggled back to consciousness against the sleep that sought to keep him where he was, but his body would not cooperate. Sighing inwardly, he waited for his body to recognize the command his mind was giving it. Eventually, he was able to open his eyes. Sleepily, he blinked and let his eyes adjust to the dim lightning of the area he was in. Where was he and how had he come here? He pondered the question as he slowly got his arms under him and was able to push himself into a sitting position. He shook his head and thought as he sat, his mind racing to put the pieces together.

He remembered the various meetings he had during his travels and even remembered the sparring match he had with Genesis. As he looked over to the sleeve that had been burnt, taking in the patch of cloth placed there to cover the hole and the arm, he carefully moved his sleeve to check on the burn underneath. It didn’t hurt, but he knew from seeing what happened to others that leaving wounds unchecked was to play with death even if pain was absent. After the spar, he had allowed the moogle at the coliseum to help him, using a potion to heal some of the wound before the creature bandaged it up. He had left the bandages on for a bit, but had removed them later to let the wound breathe. It was healing up nicely, but there were still some areas that remained discolored and scabbed over, the spots where more scars would appear; however, this did not bother the warrior. Instead, his eyes moved from the burn to the wounds under it, fresh bruises and cuts. He scanned the rest of his body taking notes of tears in his clothing and other cuts underneath. It took him a moment to remember where the wounds had come from.

Ah yes…that battle on the island with the strange armored man, the Heartless, and the strange keyblader that could summon creatures. Yes…that battle. A battle for the world had done this too him, but he had to wonder what ever became of the place or his friends. The last he had seen the place it was in flames and he and his allies had been fighting to save the place, but then as soon as the armored creature had blocked a blow upon his target, he had blacked out and fallen into sleep and ended up…here. Deshi let the sleeve fall over the wound once more as a slight frown appeared. …He had not used a Corridor to get here and as far as he knew the Academy had no way of teleporting folk yet, so he couldn’t blame the small device he had gotten from the place when he joined for this event. So how did he end up here? Did the Void bring him here? If so, why couldn’t he remember? Why had he blacked out and felt as if he had been unconscious for too long? Again, he wondered what was happening here. No answer…not even a sarcastic remark from the Void. Odd.

Shaking his head to clear it, Deshi got to his feet, taking note he had been sitting on the sandy floor of some sort of cave like passage. He dusted himself off, looking around at the place and the odd tint that it had to it. The little light that filled the area radiated from the stones all around. Behind him was a wall of darkness that golden, hungry eyes stared out of, watching him intently. The shadows were here too, but what was holding them back? Why did they not attack? Deshi’s dark colored eyes lingered on them for a second longer and then he was looking away from the wall of darkness and facing forward. As he did this, he spotted a strange figure dressed in a brown cloak with a strange “X” pattern across the chest with small studs of metal on it. The figure stood quietly at the end of the tunnel watching him, but there was just something about the figure that made Deshi feel uneasy. It was like the figure was an ill omen. To what he could not tell. Maybe it would be best to talk with the being. See what it wanted…right?

The quiet warrior was on the edge of asking who or what the figure was just to start the conversation; however as he opened his mouth to speak, the figure vanished into a thin mist of black smoke as if it was nothing more than a ghost. Deshi narrowed his eyes slightly at the strange event.

What was that?[/color] he wondered and then his attention was drawn to a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. Wondering if the light would lead him outside, Deshi headed towards it and at the opening he walked through the light and into the next area.

Using his arm to block some of the Light, he blinked until his eyes adjusted to the brightness. He could feel a cold wind in the area tugging against his clothing. Slowly, he lowered his arms and looked around the area. The sky above was dark and stormy while the ground beneath him was a strange and sickening pinkish purple that lit the area like the sun does the earth. There were dark brown rocks jutting up from the strange ground that Deshi found was actually covered in a shallow layer of water that lapped over his feet and yet did not feel like regular water. It was just had a light tugging coldness to it as if the water itself wanted to swallow him up. His eyes wandered from the ground to the rocks, falling silently in the background. As he continued to observe this place, his body became tense with misgivings. He didn’t belong here and should leave at once. Agreeing with what his Heart was telling him, he turned and raised his hand to open a Corridor, but stopped as a voice came was heard somewhere from off to the side of him.

“You cannot use the Darkness to run from the Dark,” the voice said in a calm and cool tone. The voice was unfamiliar and for one reason or another, the voice made Deshi’s uneasiness double. Despite the feeling, he turned and found that the cloaked figure from before was standing in the center of this new area just as relaxed and mysterious as before.

“I am not running from the Dark. I just don’t want to be here any longer than necessary,” Deshi told the figure calmly and then refocused on opening the Corridor. The figure chuckled lightly at this.

“It is too late for that. You became trapped, the moment your Darkness brought you to my domain. The Darkness will not bow to you or part. Your Light is weak and you shall fall,” the figure told him the tones never changing. To these words, Deshi looked over at the figure sharply.

”What do you know about me? Who are you?” Deshi demanded in cold tones. The figure did not flinch.
“I know much about everything within this world, including you. In time, I shall return to enlighten this world that is blinded by foolish Light. It is at that time you will learn my name and purpose,” the figure said in calm tones that held a hint of amusement and then before Deshi could ask any more questions, the figure vanished into the black mist again. Deshi stared at the spot where the figure had been, wondering what it had meant by its words. His Light weak and he would fall? The thought wasn’t comforting, but then again….that figure sounded just like the Void. Sure, the voice was different, but the words and message were the same. Tch. Fall indeed. He wouldn’t go down without a fight that was certain.

Deciding the figure had to be a trick brought out by the Void thanks to the strangeness of this world, Deshi held out his hand once more to summon a Corridor…and found he could not. He blinked at this and tried again. Still nothing. Trapped as the figure had said. Annoying, but what was he going to do?

Giving the area an emotionless glance, Deshi decided that since he was stuck here, he should explore and see if there was another exit from this place.

[altima]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;,bTable][style=margin-right: 5px; height: 100px; width: 100px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; border-radius: 100px; overflow: auto; float: left; overflow: hidden; background-image: url(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/Lunar_photos/Altima%20Gear/ICON2-1.jpg);][cs=2][/style] [style=margin-bottom: -5px; font-weight: bold; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 35px; letter-spacing: -3px;]The High Seraph[/style] [style=border-top: 1px dotted #b3b3b3; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 10px; color: #680000; padding-top: 3px;]De mortuis • nil nisi • bonum [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIONS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;] "If memory serves me right, your words hold no weight that can force me to bend to its commands muppet." spoke a feminine voice, bathed in simmering hatred. A cold pulse resonated in the area. It held the malicious signature of one who had been the author to a civilization's story; from the first pillars erected down to the last scream amidst a burning sea wrought from pillaging bandits. The sounds of the omnipotent pressure emitting off a single being disrupted the ears of the weak, and warded away any watching Heartless. They were at first, drawn by the weakening of one's resolve within their realm. Upon the arrival of her excellency, they began to slither back into their dark holes and would remain there until the alpha had left the area. Such was the way in not only the feral caste system of nature, but man's delusional separation from reality. She only needed to remind them of where they truly stood. That was the nature of those with power. The lucavi's pale face was just like it was in every encounter. A beauty who had just come of age with platinum silver hair and ruby colored eyes. Eyes that never faltered in confidence, nor held a single shred of doubt as to what she was capable of. This girl was dressed in her feather mantle and royal robes, with the red and gold of the stitching contrasting the purple apocalyptic setting this world had to offer. She advanced closer, seeming to walk but was a held above the ground by a few inches through her magical force. A testament to her belief that she would never stand on the same soil as the rats she once guided in the afterlife. At least, not by choice she wouldn't.[/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIVE EFFECTS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;] Cooldowns:	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]Her stare made attempts to pierce through any social upbringing a human could possibly had, for this was the sign of her beginning to understand a target. She did not understand why her scionic ability, to judge souls through reading attributes earned through experience, was so feeble since returning to life. Luckily, the fool who robbed much of her strength did not take away Altima's experiences; a mistake that would be grave in the long run. That was why she could see past this boy's platonic state. She saw the signs of one who suffered an internal struggle, ever so slight as it may be. Humans had many ways of expressing, but the body was perhaps the most truthful trait about them. Bar the silver tongue of some, little signs such as a lack of speech or a twitch from the eye were common flags for different emotions. She did admit, that this one was rather stoic and that forced her judgment to become muddied with gray areas. However, there were other ways to get people to open up, if some leverage was applied.[/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]OTHERS[/style] [style= color: FFEAF2; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]Song- Corroding Darkness	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]She stopped roughly five paces away from this oddly dressed male. Altima's poise was still, as she narrowed her stare on this individual. "Manners aside, tell me something pillock of the village. Why is it that men with a penchant for adventure or taste for meandering end up in fallout cataclysms such as these when in thought? You seem to have some wit about you, else you'd have a more vivid expression." The angel rotated so that she may properly see the endless horizon of this world. It was a sight, despite the rest of the landscape appearing to be nothing but the remains similar to what she could create after committing an execution. Cities, villages, psyches, bodies, it mattered not. The act itself was rather dreary, but fate had its ways of guiding these fools to that end. Wit's end was it? That seemed appropriate for this one, pending any drastic changes. "Fates can never be certain though, as no being can stay the hands that continue to tick. Gears will move as long as they remained moistened by the clockwork. Shalln't you decide for yourself now, where you stand among your brethren?" Altima teased, slyly smirking at the insult she weaved into the almost poetic blurb. "After all, they say the dawn can be both a sign of salvation...and the mark of the end. Within this world, forever trapped in the grip of Nyx's breath, one can already foresee what the outcome will be." [/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]MADE BY EMBLEM OF KHCMv4 [/style]

[Deleted]

If Altima’s words were directed at the cloaked figure or his Heartless in general, she would only hear an amused chuckle in response to her hate filled words. The cloaked figure, amused by the woman’s actions and loving every bit of the malice and power she held within, knew that she would collect the Heart that was so stubbornly fighting against its fate. Without much resistance, the cloaked figured bowed out of the area and left the dirty work to the woman as the Heartless slithered back in fear. The figure was content to watch the woman from the shadows do her work of breaking the stubborn shell and freeing that delicious and strong Heart for the Darkness to take. Sweet victory was secured, even if the shell that held the Heart did not believe it. The boy would fall.

Sure, the figure could do such work itself, but as a researcher more so than a fighter, the black Heart preferred to watch others deal out the suffering instead and collect what belonged to it afterwards. Such was the way of this particular Heart and master of the Heartless gathered in this place of no hope and eternal Darkness. So with patience and anticipation, the being watched as the events unfolded.

Meanwhile, Deshi did not hear the chuckle or sense where the cloaked figure had gone. What he did know, as he walked, was that something was wrong with the situation, but what was wrong was the part that stumped him. He tried to figure it out, but for some reason he could not concentrate on solid thoughts as something clogged his mind and made it hard from him to focus. What was going on here? Why was this happening to him? What had changed?

The questions came without answers, and thinking only made the young man more confused, so shoving away the nagging questions, he focused on leaving this place…for that thought was at least clear.

Deshi walked for a short distance, but found himself coming to a halt as he heard a different voice fill the area. This voice was female and spoke in words that were elegant and insulting all at once. As he stopped, he turned slightly to look behind him as the familiar coldness of malice and hate filled the area; however, this particular sort of hate and malice was different than the kind commonly found. This was a deep sort that only the dead or those that had live many long of years could hold. Something that belong to the ageless beings that had looked upon the world and despaired at the shape it was in. In their despair, these Ancient ones made their own ideas up about what to do with the world and the creatures that walked through it. Some sought to destroy while others simply ignored. In the arena these Ancient ones ruled kingdoms, but did not send warriors to fight for them. Without permission or warning, these beings entered battle themselves mostly seeking death, so they could finally be released from their despair while others sought payment for unpaid and unknown dues, and some came for understanding. Their reasons for showing up were as endless and diverse as themselves and their power. While they did not appear often, when an Ancient one did show up, the immediate reaction to them from everyone, except a few, was fear.

For you see, these Ancient creatures were nothing an ordinary man could stand against. Even the strongest of warriors could not take them down. Only the other Ancients, half breeds, and experiments could at least stand a chance against them, but even so the chances of success were slim. The only reason anyone won against these creatures was because of hard work, the being simply let whoever they were fighting win, or the Ancient that was fighting the other was even more powerful than the one it challenged. These creatures looked down upon those they’ve watched for ages seeing no one outside fearing nothing, the Creator that could destroy them in a flash.

The sightings of these old beings were rare within the arena, but when they did come even the Void had no choice, but show the Ancients respect. It was an odd thing to see—the Void being calm. The event always left the boy wondering just exactly what the Void was, but it only answered by whispering its story. The creature only said that it was once an artist and a whole person who fell in love with the Queen, but when experiments were done that artist went mad and the Heart shattered, leaving nothing, but the madness behind. The madness that had no end until faced with an Ancient one. Only then did the Void become quiet and serious. Only then did it consider what was before it dangerous and took caution with it, but the why was never explained. The being within refused to tell more and instead stepped to the front to defend the boy whenever an Ancient was encountered.

However, today the Void was being quiet leaving just the boy behind, so when the voice came and the Heartless scattered at the arrival of one far stronger than them, Deshi would turn and give her an emotionless stare. Her words were not aimed at him, but the creatures that tried to make her bow to the Darkness, so Deshi had nothing to say. Despite what the Darkness commanded her to do, the woman quickly put them all in their place with her words. The cloaked figure that had been speaking to him before had vanished a few seconds earlier, but whether it was fear or something more sinister behind the timely disappearance was beyond Deshi’s knowledge and quite frankly, he did not care to ponder motives right now.

What he did care about was the fact that he could not escape from the area and was now face-to-face with an Ancient one without the Void’s unexplained protection. For whatever reason, the Void had gone to sleep leaving only a man to face off against this being that looked young, but knew more than her appearance would suggest. The strange girl with eyes the colors of rubies was dressed in feathers and cloths that suggest that she royalty or a higher being. Regardless of this, Deshi was not afraid of her as he turned to face her fully, not sure what to think of this strange child like being. She was powerful, but why she had appeared here was beyond his knowledge and the sleeping Void would not stir to even speculate the reason for this strange occurrence.

Deshi didn’t like this situation one bit. Everything seemed to be set up to well. The Void being asleep, the place he was in, the cloaked figure, and now this strange woman of malice... Everything about the set up screamed wrong and yet his power to escape had been stripped from him for reasons unknown, forcing him to face the being of malice he did not know. He couldn’t place what she was on a comparison scale either, she had things that were similar to things in his world and yet she also vastly different. She was a confusing presence that made him curious and cautious all at once as he continued to observe her quietly.

She came towards him walking on the air like a tiger about to pounce on its prey, but he did not move as he met those strange eyes with an even stare. He felt as if she could see through him, see what was hiding within him waiting for the right triggers to disturb it. The feeling made him uncomfortable and in response to the feeling, Deshi put up a strong barrier as he braced his Heart and mind against whatever was to come. He held his ground firmly as he let the strange woman approach until she was only a few paces away and watched as her eyes narrowed at him, trying to read him once more, but he would give her nothing to go on. She spoke in her strange insulting words questioning how someone like him ended up in a place like this before making a judgment call on how smart she thought he was. These words would’ve made some mad or confused, but Deshi was not phased as he watched her, his expression remaining emotionless. Her words already let him know she was extremely perceptive. Without saying a word, she had already figured him to be a wanderer and “adventure” seeker…. or in his case a mercenary that constantly searched for work and challenges as he searched the worlds for the answers he sought. Her words rang true and so Deshi felt no need to lie to her when he opened his mouth to speak.

“This is the last place I’d chose to think in, my lady. Fate decided to toy with me and so brought me here against my will,” he told her, his tones calm and respectful as he watched her. A silence passed between them and then the woman turned to take in the landscape around them seeming lost in thought. The silenced ticked on as Deshi kept himself calm in this intimidating presence. He focused on the act of breathing evenly and slowly as he willed away fear as he was taught to do. The silence continued on, until finally coming to the end of her thoughts, the woman spoke again.

Deshi listened to her strange speech and his eyes narrowed a fraction at her as he understood her words. He didn’t like what he heard at all and so in response to the misgivings that were steadily rising within him, he answered her question with two of his own.

“Why are you here, my lady? What is it that you seek?” he asked her, his tones still calm, yet cautious as his suspicion began to grow. He was right to think she could see through him. With ease she had picked up on the internal struggle within him, even when he wasn’t fighting the Void now. If he was unsure of it before, he was certain of that fact now. How else would she come up with a question such as the one spoken? The woman could see things that he wished to keep hidden and it was this sort of perceptiveness that bothered Deshi. What else did she pick up on? And how would she use what she found against him?

The questions made the calm warrior uneasy and so he had decided hold as much away from the woman as possible, giving her nothing to latch onto at all….or so he hoped. The words following her question only gave him more reason to defend himself more.

Whoever this being was, she was toying with him just like fate did. Her sly smile that followed the question was proof enough of that and now, she was speaking on how this would turn out. Without saying it, he knew she was hinting at this fall that the cloaked figure was so sure was going to happen, but he would not go down so easily. He’d stay strong and find his way out of this mess, even if he had to fight to succeed. His goal may have seemed futile to try to gain in his current situation, but Deshi held onto this goal firmly. This woman could mock or tease him all she wanted, but He would not play her game. He had already played enough “games” to last him a life time. He wasn’t about to re-enter that field again. It was time to go.

“Dawn indeed holds the paths you speak of; however, as you stated before one’s fate cannot be determined. So while in this place where the end may seem clear, one still has the choice to do what is not expected and go on their own path,” he told her and then with a nod turned to leave again as he focused once more on his objective to get out of this place as soon as possible.

[altima]

Oct 4, 2012 11:06:35 GMT -5 @altima said:

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;,bTable][style=margin-right: 5px; height: 100px; width: 100px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; border-radius: 100px; overflow: auto; float: left; overflow: hidden; background-image: url(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/Lunar_photos/Altima%20Gear/ICON2-1.jpg);][cs=2][/style] [style=margin-bottom: -5px; font-weight: bold; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 35px; letter-spacing: -3px;]The High Seraph[/style] [style=border-top: 1px dotted #b3b3b3; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 10px; color: #680000; padding-top: 3px;]De mortuis • nil nisi • bonum [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIONS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]- Altima has summoned the two Ultima Demons, Helel and	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]Fate always was a common topic for the masses. Wanderers especially. Their spirituality was always a mix-bag; forcing her to witness either a curious heart to the unknown or a submissive whelp to the whip of the fateweaver. This child had chosen the cold shoulder. The choice of brooders and wolves alike. It was a safe option, for it did not openly express your opinion. There was nothing for the sharp of hearing to use against him, so that alone must have granted him safe passage correct? The boy felt the expressed action was the most rightful one amongst his choices. After all, philosophers have taught their pupils that it was sometimes best to simply turn away from a fight or confrontation. One of considerable wisdom oft chose this path, and so the young should follow suit correct? Sadly, this wasn't one of those moments. Not by a long shot. She simply scoffed at his words and actions. Altima did not appreciate the rude gesture, nor did she felt the urge to turn this piece of meat into a crater before her. Why? It was because there was a redeeming feature to this disrespectful move. The boy had not done this out of spite, nor ignorance. Yes, he had adopted the cold shoulder out of fear. Altima could tell from anywhere when this emotion was present, especially through the fibers of the young. Her eyes did not miss a mark, nor did her actively destructive mind. The sudden turn, hasty replies, outward defense against the manipulation teases...he had a slightly apprehensive nature to those that try to subject him into a marionette's role. 'Another card to use for later', the angel supposed. [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIVE EFFECTS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;] Cooldowns:	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]The curtain call for the inevitable clash of ideals with their strengths did not sound off in this vast auditorium. No maestro could ever approve of what Altima was conducting if she were to make as hasty a command as what the boy did. No, a sweet sonata required time in order to become one's legacy; one that would leave an impact for days to come. Troublesome as it may be to put a bit more effort into this portion, there was a need to prove the gap between one of common birth could never be crossed with any amounts of hard work. For those were the delusions of the weak. With a sigh, the angel made a rather loud snap with her fingers. Its sound echoed in the vast wasteland, and silencing the wind from its time. To her, it was nothing but releasing a bit of magical force in a given area. To the boy however, the air had become still. No trace of hymns or rustling through the caverns, at least until a series of feminine giggles flooded into the tense battleground. Spawning and barring the man from going any further were two, uniformed females armed with arm blades forged of pure magic. Their maroon, formal suit was a heavy contrast from the lack of cover on the waist and below. One had a very neatly combed sidebangs with a pewter colored ponytail, and a pale complexion filled with the fortified sense of duty. Her companion was dressed the same, but had blonde hair with two very apparent pigtails to each side. Both girls shared the angel's blood red eyes, and oppressive aura. Theirs had a different feel: one that gave off a dreadful drain of laziness, and the other much like standing before one with a ravenous appetite. They each gave a curtsy to Altima, before greeting her, 'Good afternoon Lady Altima.' 'Kehehe! A pleasure to dine with you Miss Altima.' [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]OTHERS[/style] [style= color: FFEAF2; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]Song- Dead Angle	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]"Oh? Dietrich and Soriel. A pleasure indeed." the woman spoke, after seeing the appearance of two of her servants. In particular, two from the executioner's seven within her ring. Those who were next in line to become the generals of the lucavi order. Such an interesting turn of events this had become. Given the nature of the two demons, this was about to turn into a watering session for the boy. "One may wish to stay that inexperienced hand, for oft does the conditions deny them their move. In which case for you little pawn, this board does not wish to allow one of its front line pieces to simply shrink from its duty. You've tasks to accomplish after all." the angel said with a bit of venom at that last portion. Her mouth smirking at the call to arms. Both servants to the angel raised their blades forward towards the oncoming warrior. Their looks were mixed, with one being devoid of anything but a mission and another smirking devilishly and occasionally wiping away any trails of drool. They slowly advanced forth to force their 'guest' to stay a bit longer, with the hum of the energy blade insisting. The pewter, straight laced servant's voice was first to speak, soft and confident in nature. 'I must insist that you turn around warrior. Thou hath no knowledge of the wrath you tease with your ignorance, be it from the mistress or from myself.' 'Nishishishi! Don't scare him too much now Dietrich! He might crack in the knees and wet himself! Kyahaha~' Soriel, the blonde servant, giggled as she sneered at the warrior while jerking the blade forward tauntingly. 'Mistress Altima...can I eat this one? Pretty please? His soul looks ever so fragile and breakable, like one of those confections from the East! Fear is literally oozing out of his pale white clothing! It reminds me of a....glazed raspberry tart...eheh..ee' The angel shook her head and silently scolded Soriel by waving her pointer finger side to side. Her demons were always such a handful, especially the extreme natures of the seven executioners. Manners, above all else, was of importance in the noble stature they were at. Something that helped separate them, and the lack of care in that her servant was showing did put negative connotations towards the one in charge of her. On the side though, Altima couldn't blame Soriel. This one did emit a lot of vulnerabilities to exploit and tease, even if they weren't socially apparent yet. "No Soriel, you will abstain from turning this wanderer into a meal. Control yourself and maintain yourself like Dietrich here. It does me well to see your confidence and pride radiantly shining in this dreary world, the both of you. Makes me almost have to squint to see this speck of a whelp." Altima finally added, then turning her attention to the said soldier. "So without your route puppet, what say you towards the next move on this gameboard? Continue to be bullied until you inevitably fall into the coffin that all shall return to in their cycle? Forever to wonder about what could be, in all of your fanciful theories and never the one to step forth and lift the box to see the truth. A truth that you already know..." Altima smirked, and added, "...but will never admit. Am I not correct wandering puppet? You are not in a place where your logic is the one that dictates your fate. No, you are in a different universe where, in a case that only one truth must exist, two can exist at the same time."[/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]MADE BY EMBLEM OF KHCMv4 [/style]

Artes:

SPOILER: Click to show

Subjugation:

[/u]- The summoning of those who follow or serve the Bloody Angel. Altima pictures who she wishes to call forth and they transcend the stars to appear at her side from a beacon of light. Altima can summon up to two non-Lucavi beings in one summoning. If a Lucavi is being summoned, only that being will come. Subjugation's cooldown starts after the summoned being enters the field. Each being, whether a fiend or a Lucavi, has a set amount of HP that determines their durability in battle. That HP is defined in the profiles through the "*" marks.

Example: A demon with tier two durability (two **) is equivalent to a 2 HP heartless. It will take two hits in order to bring it down.

Beings called by the Subjugation skill are called into battle to fight and serve as a shield. They do not fear the thoughts of injuries and death, as their morale is fueled by the guidance of the High-Seraph. As such, they do not naturally block or dodge attacks outside of skills that are defensive in nature.

Lucavi have a time limit in addition to the durability, but generally are far superior in power and ability to any of the minor fiends Subjugation can request. They will have a post-limit to how long they remain out on the field, as every Lucavi is unique in its own right (max. 4 turns.)

[Invocation]- Slow
[Cooldown]: 10 posts (Starting after the creature(s) are summoned)



Durability: ***

- Ultima Demon: A loyal servant of Ultima. In addition to having stronger powers than the Archaeodaemon’s the other Lucavi can summon, these creatures hold the ability to alter their physical body to appear like another human. Ultima Demons share the immunity to Holy-element attacks with the Archaeodaemon.[/spoiler]


Art of the Summoned Demons:

SPOILER: Click to show

Dietrich:
Dietrich

Soriel:
Soriel

[Deleted]

Fear, a familiar that never really left the man that was known as Deshitana despite what his actions or expressions said otherwise. Sure, he did not react to the normal things that would make a person cry or flee such as a monster or a simple jump out tactic. He could easily remain emotionless in the face of death and horror scenes, walk confidently alongside of the dead, and more. People who saw his behavior when faced with dangerous or less than pleasant circumstances always called him bold, brave, or fearless, but Deshi was none of these. He was simply numb to it all and knew how to channel fear into his instincts instead of letting it flood and muddle his mind. He was able to focus and use the nervous energy that fear filled him up with to react appropriately to things that would otherwise bring him to his knees or kill him. He hadn’t stop fearing. He simply had repurposed the emotion into something useful instead of binding.

As such fear was what was guiding the man to walk away now. The strange woman in red was a force he did not want to mess with and her very presence threatened his survival. She was malicious and deadly. He couldn’t allow her to erase him to have her way, so he had said his words and decided to leave, keeping an ever alert ear out for whatever she may do while his back was turned. He knew a being of such power would not appreciate the cold shoulder. No one of power ever did and turn he had learned that such beings either lashed out or took other methods to get their way…to force another to submit and bow. He did not expect this woman to be any different either. As he turned and walked already he could sense the storm about to come. The scoff from the lady at his words and action, the prelude to what was to come. Despite the warning, he kept moving doing his best to stay calm and not flee like the child within him wanted to. He forced himself to remain composed as the tension began to build in the area and time counted down the seconds to the inevitable move the woman would eventually make.

As he continued to move, he could feel her eyes on him. He knew she could see through him and had perhaps even picked up on his fear that he could keep so well hidden from the normal eye, but in the presence of this strange other world being, he had the feeling he was laid bare before her. He hated the thought that she had the advantage over him, but he could not shake this fact. It made him clam up and hide as much as he could from her within. Without the Void bugging him, this task was easier than it had been in years to perform. There was nothing to undo his guarding, placing him back in the mentality he had when the Queen first put him the arena. Before the bloodlust creature had came. Back then he could easily detach himself from the situation, let his body go through the motions needed to win and live to see another day. Back then he had no other option, but to fight or else he would die; however, now was different.

Now he had an option to refuse to fight and walk away from the situation that was pulling at every bit of his past, threatening to shatter and undo him. It was placing him back in the arena and under the Queen’s control, but… now that he was free of that life, he refused to go back to that style of living. He was no one’s puppet. Not anymore.

He kept walking. One foot in front of the other. As he did, the tension only grew greater until finally there was a sigh from the woman in red and then the distinct and loud sound of fingers being snapped. The sound was intense enough to freeze a person in their spot or make one jump, but not Deshi. He kept walking feeling as if he was beginning to walk on razor sharp spikes as the a deadly calm fell over the area that silenced everything, even the light sloshing of his shoes in the liquid like substance that covered the ground. He kept walking counting his steps as he began to slow his pace, sensing the coming of the storm. As feminine giggles filled the air and then two ladies appeared out of thin air and blocked his path, Deshi had halted his walking causing him to be at a safe distance from the giggling pair.

Like their summoner, the two female soldiers were indeed powerful entities armed with magical blades on their arms. Despite their innocent appearance, he could sense their nature. Both were killers, but the dark haired one was more controlled than the blonde. Both dangerous in their own ways. While he could not place what these beings were exactly, he knew from their positioning that they were not about let him leave so easily. Sure, he could attempt to run around them, but that was not wise. Not with the woman at his back and these two able to move anyway they pleased. They had him pinned in an effective way and their numbers helped them greatly. Still, Deshi would not be bullied into submission.

He listened to the strange conversation between the three—the two servants and master— picking up each one’s name and behavior pattern. These fiends, as sinister as they were, seemed to have a code of their own to go by, but it was one that Deshi did not wish to ponder now. All that mattered were these hostile entities before him and how he could work around them without getting killed.

He heard the woman in red’s words and felt himself tense. What did she mean by such words? Was she saying he had no option, but to fall and play whatever role was assigned to him afterward? That was not comforting, but regardless of the words and the venom behind them Deshi managed to keep his cool and hold his ground for a while longer. When the two ladies came towards him with blades raised, he watched them emotionlessly willing himself not to be hasty and strike out too soon. It was a hard thing to do considering the blonde’s action were trying. Her drooling, taunting, and giggling enough to force someone without a strong will to lash out just to keep from seeing that madness; however, Deshi had seen similar things in his life and so was able to resist his instinct to destroy her. Instead, he simply narrowed his eyes at the woman as she asked for permission to eat him, speaking on the fear that she too could clearly sense and even making comments on his soul comparing it to some wonderful treat from another land.

The taunts and comparisons were working his nerves. He knew what they were doing. They wanted him to react, to make the wrong move, but he refused to do as they wished. He would not react; however, there was something he couldn’t help, but to do….obey the command to stay.

Tch! he thought as he gave the two women a cold glare before taking a step back and backtracking a few steps as he turned to face the woman in red who was telling the blonde to behave while making a jab once more at himself and his significance. He had heard taunts before and knew how easily one was destroyed if rage was allowed to guide one’s hand, so he took the abuse giving the woman a steely gaze as she turned her attention back to him and spoke some more.

To her question, he gave her silence not denying the fact that while he would want the situation to play out differently, she did indeed have the control at the moment and gave him no choice, but to play this game he did not wish to play. Despite this, he would not be forced into submission. He would continue to resist even if she…

What?[/i]

There was the slightest of twitches from his right hand as the woman’s words about the truth sunk in. Just how much of him did this woman see? Could she really see the other side of him? The blood thirsty creature he sought to be rid of? Even when it wasn’t present? That was…that was not possible…was it?

Deshi pondered the words a bit longer unconsciously giving away a bit of his conflicting thoughts as his hands balled into fists. This woman….he understood her game. He knew how it would end if he gave in, but he couldn’t shake the uneasiness she forced upon him. She was forcing him to face the truth of what he was…something he had been running from ever since he had left the world of battles. Now face with it again, he wasn’t sure how to answer the woman and the back talking Void was nowhere to help him. He was quiet for a moment as he kept his fists balled and his eyes watching the ripples of the liquid under his shoes. It took him a while to recompose himself and look at the woman.

“What is that truth to you?” he asked his tone icy, even his face remained a blank slate. She had hit a nerve that was for sure, but the defiance in his eyes let her know he was not about to submit to this game much longer. The tension within him was building to a bursting point. It wouldn’t take much to get him to act and fight back. Even if the battle was playing into the woman’s hand and one he could not win, he did not care anymore. As long he was away from this woman that threatened his life just by existing, he would do anything to survive and be free once more. He would not submit to these games or the fall. He would not allow others to toy with him any longer. No…Not as long as he still had the will to fight in him.