The Demon Hiding Among Angels [Invite]

[Deleted]

It had been a good while since the hooded woman entered this world. Although her time had been used for her personal goals, just enough time passed for people to forget even if for a moment's notice, the demon and her last visit. The scars from her power still seared the cobblestone street of the city where she had tried to stop a certain woman and her brother from escaping. The Nightmare knew of the panic and fear she had unintentionally set off. Religious faith has a strong grip upon these people and her power, perhaps the dark form she had taken as well, had set the match off. It was silly, really, giving how they viewed those with magical power was actually very similar to how her own people viewed her and others with unexplained magical power. They were simply afraid of the potential in the unknown variable as well as what lurked in the dark.

The cloaked woman sat on the ledge of the Cathedral, looking down at the sleepy city. Selena merely observed the city as she always did, but it was quiet as it was night. This time she already knew that Azalea and her brother were not here and that by returning would only ignite harsher emotions from the civilians if she should encounter. It was already a given that this world was not the long lost home she had been searching for the majority of her life. Although the differences were quite obvious, the sheer cold of their attitude toward the concept of magic and their fervent belief in their religion rivaled her own home world's. 

Over the years, Selena did occasionally wonder if she'll ever find Hope Village and whether or not the world itself was still among the many stars in the skies. As horrible as her sense direction was, she had hoped that she would find her home world eventually. There were so many stars in the sky, so easy for her to simply point at one and aim her Corridor toward that star, that the odds are absolutely against her. The hooded could not recall every world she has traveled to except that there were hundreds, perhaps she had reached thousands long ago. 

Hood falling off her head, she leaned backward so that her wings and her back uncomfortably rested on the floor. Looking up at the stars, the cloaked woman raised her right hand up, tracing each star. Her eyes closed, focusing on the gentle light each star emitted, searching for some familiarity whether its a world where she has been to before or if one could possibly be the home she searched for. At first glance, it would appear that she had fallen asleep when 

Long ago, Selena had acknowledged that her life was a lonely one at best but it was one that helped her grow stronger. Lacking any normality from any given domestic lifestyle, or even a social one, is a price she had been willing to pay. Selena thrived and survived in the constant danger of having Heartless coming after her Heart because their attraction either to the darkness of her own Heart or even the magnetic characteristic of her Heartsickness keyblade. It kept her constantly alert, sometimes with days without sleep and eating at a time. Sure, she could have just given up the search and settled down on any of the worlds she landed on for a life of normalcy; but a certain last wish has her chained to the search. That last promise shackled her Heart to her home world. To not be able to see it through, may just extinguish the weak candle of her Heart. 

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There was no mistaking or hiding the truth that this world among the many was one of the few to still hold great prejudice against newcomers. They remained cocooned within their set ways and beliefs, certain that they were the only world that resided within the sea of stars. There had been few to limited encounters with travelers from other worlds, and most could not make sense of the rare occurrences of strangers when they had happened. There were still tales about a strange girl with a key for a weapon, who sought shadow as though it were her friend. The darkness of the alleys in the bright sun helped Vanitas to remain anonymous to the unaware people among the streets. As he collected more information on the tale surrounding this mysterious girl, the Masked Boy couldn't help but feel he had seen the face of this before. The description of her demeanor seemed familiar, but he couldn't place just exactly where this feeling was coming from. Though with all mysteries, he was certain it would eventually play itself out.

The Masked Boy stood leaning against a brick wall, five blocks from the grand Cathedral, with his arms crossed and his body suit covered with a torn rag. While he didn't care much for upholding a guise of a common filth, he recognized that anonymity was a useful tool when one was hunting for prey. Though in the recent lapse of days he had begun to wonder, just who was the prey this time? The union with Ventus was no doubt the end of the road for them both; the inevitable clash between the two halves of their heart was going to happen. It was one of those things Master Xehanort had described as fate so many times in the past, yet it was certain to be then why did their merging fail the last time? Were they not strong enough to perform the task of creating a true X-Blade? Had Ven truly overpowered himself in the end? These were only a few things Van dared consider for the reason behind his failure, and why he was so determined to remedy whatever flaw it had been.

The search for information to the truth had taken him to Castle Oblivion, where he not only encountered his other half, but began to uncover more insight behind their lengthy slumber. Vanitas had begun to tap into the memories that had passed over into Ventus' heart from Sora, and in turn was beginning to familiarize himself with the events that came to directly effect their shared heart. Though their time together had been short lived, Vanitas knew that he would learn more about them if he was to find the blond once more. Though with every amount of time they spent apart, Vanitas recognized as his opportunity to lay out challenges to strengthen himself and Ventus. The reforging of the X-Blade would bring about absolution to the worlds, and ignite a new Keyblade War to bring about the world's strongest combatants together. To slay and dominate them all would be the truest form of chaos, the ultimate means of proving whoever was the strongest. 

Blocks away upon the Cathedral's heights, below the roof inside the bell tower, a trio of Flood Unversed came to manifest onto the wooden planks. As many proud and faithful citizens were gathering for mass down below, two of the middle sized bells gave ring, before the rest of the troupe began to join in to exude a chorus for the city. Nearing the end of the chime's rhythm, the aggravation that had welled up inside the Flood became too much to ignore. Impulsive behavior overtook the trio, and the scurried up to the peak of the bell's security. They gnawed and slashed the ropes binding the bell to the rod, and soon the giant dome of brass fell down into the Cathedral. Wooden planks, ladders and walkways became splinters and firewood within a matter of moments, and those beneath who were too slow to react, became crushed under the impact of brass and stone. Those who managed to escape the weight of the bell screamed for the fright and startle the sudden occurrence gave them. Others began to prey for the victims once they were outside in the streets, whom soon became surrounded by a very large, worried crowd. Guards rushed to the doors and inside in order to secure the perimeter, and to locate for any possible survivors or gypsies inside the holy sanctum of Notre Dame. 

While the crowd surged past his place of contemplation, Vanitas watched as another Flood was created in place of the trio who were slain in the accident. "I know it's done. Now scout," commanded the Progenitor to the underling, which caused the Unversed to vanish from his sight to carry out its order. Vanitas then leaned off the brick wall, and walked out of the alleyway into the crowd of the busy street. The makeshift poncho and hood did enough to hide the prominent features of his bodysuit and helmet, but most of the people who rushed past him seemed more concerned with the incident at the Cathedral. From behind the black opaque glass he wore, Vanitas gave a sinister smirk down the road to the survivors of the crash. Things like this were sure to draw out the rare ones, the unique beings who possessed enough strength to last more than a mere moment in combat against a Keyblade Warrior. "Now to see who takes the bait."

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As Selena traced the stars, she had underestimated the amount of similarities between this world and her own Hope Village. Had this dark keybearer known, she would have never returned or even toyed with the thoughts of returning to this world where her existence and dark power scarred the memories and the cobblestone street. She would have never looked back but what was done was done and there was absolutely nothing she could do now to change it. Her future was moving forward as it always did.

The sounds of certain creatures gnawing on rope had shifted her attention from the stars in the skies to where the bells in the tower were. Selena frowned and pulled her hood on as she got up. An uneasy feeling overwhelmed her Heart but her outward appearance maintained her stoic control. She slowly approached the Cathedral's bell tower in time to catch the blue creatures take the final bites and slashes of the bell's rope causing it to fall below. Selena looked down and watched the heavy brass bell crash into the wood and finally, the screams of the Cathedral's church-going crowds below. She clasped a hand over her own mouth in shock. She knew that some of the civilians did not make it based on the crushed bodies underneath the bell. 

The hooded keybearer stood there in shock at the event she just witnessed. The last traumatic event that she never truly got over and may never will was the day the Heartless first attacked her Hope Village. Over the past decade, there were many other events that would have been considered traumatic to a child with a keyblade but she had thought she had seen it all. After all, it wasn't the first time this dark keybearer witness Death take another life but there was a fear that clutched her Heart so tightly that she cannot breath. Selena didn't even know why as this event should have been unrelated to her; this world was in no way important to her. Her skin was considerably pale and could only breath in short shallow spasms. Her hands shook; they would be unable to hold a tight grip onto her Heartsickness keyblade.

"Hey! You!" Finally the sound of the Guards snaps the poor keybearer out of her shock. "Get down here!" Realization hits the keybearer; she was standing in the middle of the scene of a crime and right now because of her unfortunate timing; Selena is most likely their prime and lone suspect for capital murder. She did not know what became of the creatures that felled the brass bell's ropes but they were likely gone or dead underneath the brass and wood. Selena was sure that they may recognize her from her previous visit to this world and she feared for her life. 

Move Selena, move!! Her legs felt heavy as an adrenaline rush finally got them to back away from the opening in the Cathedral bell tower and ran. Thinking that the hooded figure didn't have anywhere else left to go, the Guards went after her only to find that she had disappeared into a Corridor to Darkness. While they were puzzled at this development, they ran back down to get word out that a witch was on the loose in the Cite de Cloches. 

Meanwhile, Selena's Corridor opened in the middle of one of the alleys in the City. She couldn't concentrate and focus on any of the stars in order to remove herself from this terrible world. Not with all of this fear running its course in her veins. The hooded woman ran as fast as she could with the weight of her wings which now felt like the weight of a cross on her back. She needed to get out of this city fast before capture becomes imminent and if this world may be like her own home-world; very possible death sentence for the possession of magic power and now, framed for murder.

Selena could see the Bridge ahead of her, she just needs to get across and freedom will be hers...

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As The Masked Boy ventured deeper into the crowd leading out of the city, he began to notice the severity of impact the incident seemed to have on their behavior. With every step away from the Cathedral more people seemed to become happier, less panicked and peaceful with their activities than those that had witnessed the bell's destruction. The more he passed through, the more the whispers of the incident began to spread, causing a small feeling within Vanitas to rise, that he was the silent courier of the word something terrible had befallen their beloved church. Rumors of priests being slain by highwaymen or gypsies passed between ever so other bystander, and the possible threat of the guard being overthrown by english usurpers. Either way it was certain that the feelings of the people in this city were beginning to escalate in level, which would be perfect to manipulate to overrun the population to a panic on a global scale. It would be enough to draw Ventus here, and it would be the perfect first battleground to test and strengthen his other half. Preparations needed to be made for the coming reunion, and the inevitable reforging of the X-Blade. There was little next to nothing standing in their way now, if only Ven's unfortunate weakening during the stasis they had been put through. 

Realizing too that this affected himself as well, Vanitas sought to use this as another opportunity to strengthen The Unversed, and through them his own power. The unrest and panic of the simpletons in this city would surely draw out the others, those that lacked hearts, and those that did not exist. As they moved in on their prey to harvest the fearing people, Vanitas would herd them as he awaited their slayers, whom he would test his current limitations on. Unsuspecting would be heroes would surely show up to assist the failing and disarrayed guard in driving back whatever evil had dropped the bells from the tower, and with the help of his dearest Unversed and the all too predictable Heartless, Vanitas was sure to begin his new road on unlocking the X-Blade once more. 

As before anybody moving along the street avoided Vanitas and his personal space, simply because of the weird energy vibe they'd begin to feel when they drew too close. The Progenitor continued through the crowd until a group of soldiers caught his eye, a group of four armed men rushing through the crowd towards the Cathedral. The Masked Boy tugged the makeshift rag until it ripped, and threw the tattered cloth forward to catch the group of soldiers in the face. As Vanitas quickly hopped to the side, he avoided the men as they all fell forward to the ground, caught by surprise by the unexpected action. They each struggled to free themselves from the shroud of the rag, while the crowd of people widened to form a gap for space. Vanitas loomed over the soldiers as they peeked from underneath his former poncho, and felt their faces swell with anger and disbelief that a mere teenager had stalled their advance. Before they had a chance to say anything though, a group of five Floods surrounded them, and began to tear into their skin. Droplets of blood began to decorate the cobblestone road as screams of people erupted from around The Unversed, and more panic spread throughout the crowd as everyone began to flee in many different directions. 

Vanitas let loose a small chuckle at the sight of the dead soldiers in the street, and turned to continue his walk a few steps more, until he stopped as a scent of Darkness caught his attention. He cast a glance back to the corpses from over his left shoulder, only to see pools of inky blackness begin to spawn around the street and alley entrances. The Unversed vanished from sight as they obeyed an impulsive command from the first sent to scout, and went to join it to scour the city for any signs of more powerful opposition. They would approach this cautiously as undercover agents, and secret eyes for Vanitas to detect the next target of his training exercises. The Masked Boy turned in full as he watched down the street, observing the people as they continued to flee from the monstrous blue creatures. They were so easy to intimidate, so easy to predict, and they were among the easiest to use for bait. The cross streets remained flooded with traffic as people now tried to void the murder scene and the Cathedral, and the Progenitor could sense the anticipation, the fear, the overwhelming surges of emotion coming from his Unversed by them witnessing this panic. Perhaps one more event of equal proportions as the first two would be enough to provide that spark this world needed, and soon he would be able to progress to the second phase.

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Glowing turquoise eyes had watched it all. The sight of the magnificent Cathedral becoming a ruin due to the large brass bells hanging within the spires, to fall down and destroy hundreds of years of history. Nothing more then a pile of rubble and broken bodies now. It was a horrific sight, much the same as watching a certain silver-haired madman, single-handedly destroy the ShinRa HQ Building. Such vast devastation and it wasn't just the architecture that was effected either. The faces of the civilians were covered in horror and fear as they too all witnessed what had happened. Was it an accident though? Could the ropes and straps that held the bell in place merely have been in need of maintenance and had not be replaced? Surely something that held the bells in place would have been checked daily for any signs of wear and tear. No, that wasn't it. The only other reason for what happened, was sabotage. A cult? A group or the enemy to those who lived in this city, perhaps? The young man with the spiky blonde hair didn't know anything about this world. Trust be told it was his first time here and at first glance, it seemed a peaceful enough place.

Was it his arrival? Had he opened the way for others to venture to this world or had other people come here before him? The chaos before him might not have even been caused by an off-worlder. No, until the Delivery Boy of Strife's Delivery Services could get proof that this was caused by a 'visitor', he'd do nothing about it. King Mickey was pretty adamant on the whole 'meddling' in other world's affairs. How it was a bad thing to get unnecessarily involved in business that wasn't your own. Normally Cloud wouldn't have battered an eyelid at such an event, but time changed and so did people. What if this was Aerith's church? There would be no way he'd just sit around and so nothing then. Cloud just stood within the crowds, his long sleeved cloak wrapped about his body to hide his attire from the locals to avoid looking out of place. The sounds of rubble falling within the Cathedral continued to be heard, even over the sound of the shocked 'audience' that had watched the whole thing alongside the fake-SOLDIER.

This is terrible... I hope it was just an accident...
The young man thought to himself as he shifted his weight from his heels onto his toes, poking his head up over the crowds to get a better glance inside the main doors of the Cathedral, but the guards were quick to show up and started to set up a parameter about the entrance, stopping the civilians from getting inside, less more rubble fell down upon them. Peering past the guards to see inside the Cathedral was a waste of time too, for the dust was much too thick to see through. There was some shouting coming from the rooftops though, barely audible over the worried and panicked crowds on the ground. Glancing up, the chocobo-haired youth didn't see anything out of ordinary, but the fact that some of the guards had seen something, maybe someone, on the rooftops might result in the destruction of part of Notre Dame being planned over being accidental. A terror attack? Was there someone of high importance within the Cathedral and this was an attack, an attempt to kill them? Civil war? Politics? Royalty? Cloud just shook his head from side to side and returned his eyes back down from the rooftops to the main entrance of the once beautiful piece of architecture.
Don't meddle Cloud... You have no proof.

Then a scream came from somewhere close by, catching both Cloud's and a lot of the civilians attention around him. A sudden feel of battle shot through Strife's mind and quickly he started to force his way through the crowds, pushing people aside until he reached the scene of several guards laying dead upon the ground. A tattered and worn cloak covered most of the bodies, but enough could seen through the cuts and tears in the material to realize what had happened. Anger covered the young man's face as he looked up from the bodies to see if he could spot who might have done this. Thanks to the large space that had been created from the crowds backing away from the scene, the Delivery Boy could easily see the bodysuit wearing individual standing in the middle of the clearing, his back to the bodies. While there were no signs of blood upon his attire, the fact that he was wearing such an outfit, not to mention the overwhelming scent of Darkness coming off of him, Cloud was confident that this stranger was an off-worlder like himself. But who was this guy and what reason did he have to kill these soldiers? Was he also the one who was on the rooftops and was responsible for cutting the bell loose within the Cathedral?

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If Selena had been being watched or followed inconspicuously from the shadows, her senses would be too overrun with the emotion of fear so that her keen abilities of observation were thrown out the door. She had kept running through the alleys until the bridge was within her sight and so were a group of guards who were blocking it. The hooded woman stopped in her tracks and started to back up, ready to bolt before they can notice her presence. It wasn't long until they did though, one of them quickly pointed their finger at her and motioned the other guards that they've found the 'witch'. Although the people were scared of what happened in the Cathedral, this woman is terrified of the fact that she was basically framed for murder for being in the wrong place at the absolute baddest time and for her powers.

The Nightmare turned and ran. The idea of opening another Corridor to Darkness never occurred to her rushed mind despite the fact that all of her complete focus was concentrated on escaping the city. Please stay away...!! However, a very different notion to at least buy her time to find her way around the guards occurred but putting it into action would not only solidify their idea that the woman they were chasing is a witch but also very likely give her a death sentence for even having her power in the first place, something that her own people of her village would have done, and assume that she was the murderess of the Cathedral. However, Selena failed to think through the idea to come to those conclusions; she immediately blocks the alleyway behind her with Umbra Vitis Shield to buy herself the time needed find her way around them. 

Before she knew it though [and thanks to her already poor sense of direction], the hooded woman had once again ran straight into the crowds running away towards her, away from the Cathedral. Confused and catching her breath, Selena slowly made her way forward while the other civilians ran the other direction. Eventually, one of them pushes her to the side causing her to fall to the cobblestone ground without even a cry. She picked herself up only to find herself face-to-face with one of the blue creatures, and past it, another hooded enigma who appears to be the source for all of this madness. 

Selena's jaw clenched angrily as her Heartsickness keyblade comes to her hand and slashes at the blue creature to get it out of her way. The Heartsickness' presence eases her Heart, pulls it away from her fear that had momentarily gripped it. "YOU!!" At this point, she did not care that she was interfering in this world. Her heels clicked as this hooded keybearer boldy approached Vanitas with her weapon in hand. "You're the one that's controlling these same creatures that took down that bell and killed those people in the Cathedral!!" The dark keybearer didn't dare mentioned the fact that he had framed her but it didn't matter now; she had found the true murderer and was ready to take him down. Her grip on her blade remained tight, her knuckles white. Selena failed to acknowledge that someone she previously met, someone who would surely recognize her, was also watching in the crowds near them. Her fangs were already bare and this threatened wolf was ready to battle Vanitas here and now. 

~~~~~
Abilities Used:
Umbra Vitis Shield: Selena can raise up many large, thorned vines of darkness to wrap around herself and/or her allies to act like a strong shield. It can be used normally and in her Dark Form. It may also be used in battle and outside of battle. [Cooldown: 1 Post]

Note: Sel is pissed. Be warned! xD

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Panic continued to ensue throughout the streets, heavy breathing and gasping imminent in those who were trying their hardest to escape a cruel fate. Soldiers among the people shouted orders for civilians to calm and cease their panic, but it did little good with how few their numbers were, and soon the armored men were caught in the sea of turmoil. Shoved every possible way by those who prioritized themselves over the common wealth of the city, and took what they could get. The opportunistic took what they could as well, and pilfered and robbed the vendors along the roads in the midst of this chaos, while many of the helpless were violently shoved, forced to the ground to be trampled. Several poor souls had already lost their lives due to the inconsiderate behavior of the selfish, and had become the small gaps in the crowds that were avoided by the passerby.

Many of these lives were nothing but sheep to the Dark Half of Ventus, and nothing more than liabilities, or potential uses with which to develop his own skills. They were an annoyance, an unnecessary variable that populated every world. The very thing that gave the worlds the altered forms they had been transformed from their origin, were these naive yet determined creatures that sought to build, consume, and repopulate simply because they could. There was a limited purpose to the life of these people, and for what point did they serve? They were here simply to exist, cocooned in ideals and beliefs which contradicted the majority of factual evidence they knew that made these practices obsolete. Vanitas knew not the details of these practices, nor did he care, but the citizens of this world were already known to be far too timid. Many creatures were when put in the face of true danger, and it was rare for someone to take a stand against the tides of strife when they came. Those who were known to step in to interfere were those who wielded the Keyblade, but even the majority of these individuals understood and respected the nature of interfering with the affairs of the worlds.

That was not the case with some however, like beings such as himself or Master Xehanort. There was an unhindered curiosity that was piqued in their minds, an unquenchable thirst for the unknown and unseen. For Xehanort it was a search for the ultimate truth and power through experimentation, through meddling with the very fabric of people's lives and hearts that drove his ambition. For the likes of Vanitas, to see what a Keyblade War would bring propelled him further, to summon the X-Blade and rid himself of the pain of separation from Ventus. This world and its people were already paying their penance, fulfilling the purpose that Vanitas had come to give them. They were beginning to feel the necessary fear and inner turmoil that would allow them to relate to him, that would make them understand just a minuscule fraction of what he endured on a daily basis. They would endure the suffering of such emotions like he would, and would serve their purpose to draw the Darkness to the heart of this world. They would feel everything necessary to draw Ventus to this world, where he would combat more powerful Unversed to strengthen both himself and his Dark Half. Nothing would be able to stop Vanitas on his maddening quest to bring about the Keyblade War, for all anyone could hope at best would be to prolong the inevitable as long as their pitiful attempts could muster.

Vanitas continued to observe the beauty of the citywide panic in silence, and took several deep breaths as a small frown began to muster upon his hidden face. The feeling and sound of a single felled Flood rang out, and was felt almost immediately as it was heard. Vanitas was called out with a single word, with a voice that was distinctly female. He could feel the raw emotion pouring off this individual before she even began her next sentence; such anger, such confusion. "Sorry?" he remarked to regard the girl, not bothering to give her a single look. His back remained to her as Selena went on to proclaim him as the one behind the attack on the Cathedral, as if he was one to care about it. So who was this to make such a bold statement? A guard? A high ranking priest? Vanitas was not one to care about collateral damage, nor did he give a damn about anyone but Ventus. He turned to glance at the identity of the girl over his shoulder, finding a hooded teenager with dark hair staring him down. His eyes wandered down to her hand to glimpse the sight of a Keyblade, which brought about a wicked smirk, hidden behind the black opaque glass of his helmet. This was certainly interesting, because Vanitas knew nothing about any other wielders to be chosen by the Keyblade, and he had no recollection of ever meeting this girl. "I don't think its any of your business," he retorted, before he turned in full to look upon her with full attention.

Vanitas shifted his sights to another standing still in the crowd, taking note of a blond man who seemed to be eyeing him down just as the girl was. Though there was something about this figure. His emotions were there, wafting off him like various colored strands of energy. The strongest now was one of suspicion, a strongly wafting feather coming forth from the chest of the figure and billowing in an unseen wind. Behind that was worry, and even a faint bit of loneliness. He was suspicious of him, but also worried, yet lonely. Why was he worried? That he’d be alone forever? Or did he miss someone, and it was that someone he worried about? Piecing the emotional puzzle together was often harder than it looked. He appeared to simply be observing, but he would be accounted for nonetheless. Vanitas turned his sights back to Selena, eyes narrowing with that same annoyance that had reared its head a moment ago. This one did destroy one of his underlings, and did possess a Keyblade, so perhaps it would serve for good practice? Her emotions were already heightened, much like several notable people in the past he knew, whom were easily riled up by his simple honesty. This girl would be easy to take advantage of with those same emotions betraying her, and nothing screamed more impulsive and mistake prone than inner conflict. All he needed to do was get her to strike first, and then she would be at his mercy. “Go pray or something and piss off,” The tone wasn’t harsh, more flat than anything, but it was there. He didn’t have time for this nonsense, he had to be out of here and exploring.

[Deleted]

The guards of this city were attempting to calm down and control the mass panic that was quickly growing out of control outside the Cathedral. While the blonde-haired youth would normally assist in the calming and controlling, he was far too busy keeping his eyes locked onto the stranger in the black suit, waiting for the proof he needed that this guy was to blame for the felling of the bell and destruction of half the Cathedral nearby. Strife knew that he was going to stand out more so then the civilians of this world, but the panic and fear that had been caused was helping him to blend in rather well, despite just standing still and not reacting to the scene around him. He couldn't react. He couldn't afford to take his eyes off of whoever this mysterious stranger was, less he to vanish before him and lose all hope of figuring out who he was and whether he was responsibly for the scene happening nearby. The slain guards and the state of which the Cathedral was in had to have been caused by someone, and right now, this stranger was all Cloud had to work with.

Amongst the chaos and panic, a voice shouted out above the rest. Slowly Cloud glanced off in the direction he thought it had came from and watched with widened eyes as a young woman came into view whom he recognized almost instantly, regardless of the hood covering her head.
Artemis?!
The Delivery Boy thought to himself. He didn't need to see her face, feel the aura her heart gave off nor notice the wings that were on her back, not that he could. No, the sight of that weapon within her hand was all Cloud needed to see to realize who it was approaching the black-armoured stranger.
What're you doing here Artemis? A Keybarer above all people shouldn't meddle in other worlds affairs...
Is what Mickey and Sora would have said, and you could bet that both of them would ignore their own advice if either of them knew who the man in the full suit of form-fitting armour was. However, the arrival of the fake-SOLDIER's Coliseum sparring partner had brought about an advantage; she had distracted the one in the form-fitting armour. Cloud's eyes flashed as he narrowed them and flexed his open hands into tight fists. If he had to trust his instincts, he had to attack now while he had the element of surprise.

The ex-SOLDIER First Class flexed his knees and slowly brought his arms up, hands flexing back into open palms as he readied himself to summon his Fusion Sword. This was such a mistake... He just happened to be here when the incident at the Cathedral happened, he really should not be meddling. Unfortunately, that couple of seconds doubt about jumping this black-armoured stranger was all the time said stranger needed to glance over into Cloud's direction. Immediately the Delivery Boy stood back up straight, his hands clenching into tight fists as he stared back at that black mask which covered the strangers face.
... Sh*t!! He's seen you.
Well, so much for the element of surprise, but this action caused Cloud to grow ever more curious. There were not many people who could detect a person by the aura of their heart, but the fact that this guy was able to look straight at him, or at least he assumed he did, further told Cloud that this guy was not from this world.

A second glance to 'Artemis' revealed that she had yet to see him as the stranger in black had, but due to the way the one in black had turned to look towards the SOLDIER, might have caused the young winged woman to do the same. Regardless of that though, the one in black and red had glanced back towards Selena and had kept his focus on her for the time being. Cloud knew that trained warriors had heightened senses, meaning a sneak attack now would more then likely be detected. So now what? 'Artemis' looked ready to start a fight and was even brandishing her Keyblade before the some of the civilians who were brave enough to stick around and watch the scene unfold. It was a risk that had to be taken though. This stranger in the black and red armour was the main suspect of the events that had happened around this city, in Cloud's eyes at least. While he didn't know much about the woman with the black wings, he was confident enough to know that she'd not mindlessly slaughter some guards and drop a Cathedral bell onto the religious civilians below.

Nodding his head to himself, Strife's expression grew serious as he took a step backwards into the crowds around him. Throwing his hands out to either side of him, he shoved the civilians either side of him away to create some space, to which he instantly flexed his knees and used his powerful legs and launch himself up into the air over the clearing caused by the slain guards. In mid-air, Strife's fingers curled about an imaginary object and took firm grip of it, before the handle of his Fusion Sword appeared in his hand in a flash of light, the massive blade following suit afterwards. Then, when reaching the peak of his jump, Cloud brought his hands up over his head, the large blade behind his back as he begun his descent.
Just keep him distracted Artemis...
Plummeting down towards the stranger in black and red armour, Cloud swung both his hands back over his head and slammed his weapon down as hard as he could towards the stranger confronting the female Keybarer.

[Deleted]

Selena stared hard at the other keybearer's back; an expression that would turn into a glare once he gave a remark. Once he turned to even glance at her, she impulsively pulled her hood down with her free hand so Vanitas could get a look at whom he just framed if he can even see through that damned helmet of his. Her lips curled into a snarl, her anger rising inside her and snaking through her veins like a current. Not her business? The individual had earned a permanent spot on her mental 'enemies list'.
"Given that you've fu**ing framed me for your little murder spree inside the cathedral, this is very much my da**ed business you little bas****." She answered, not even bothering to censor her own language due her full distaste of the boy in front of her. Screw the high standards and expectations that were thrust upon keybearers. Selena knew that she was already lower than those who lurked in the light, and she was going to handle this her own way.

She breathed in deeply then out. Emotional control was something that this dark keybearer needed to regain before she can continue the encounter. There was no use for her to fight against the other keybearer if her rage and her own negative emotions blinded her and make it impossible to land a blow. Selena calmed her racing Heart, focusing on a much worse emotion than pure rage if she should fail a certain promise: a sensation like drowning with an ice-cold touch numbing her whole body. Her breathing slowed to a more normal rate. Her Heart's armor has been reequipped once more. 

Ignoring Vanitas' statement, the cloaked keybearer remained still. Her eyes focused on Vanitas then seemingly glanced into the crowd where Cloud was as if to consider the consequences for pressing forward and regards for their safety if only for a moment, then back to Vanitas. That one glance told her that a certain ally was here . "Fang. Umbra." The silver fiery wolf, "Fang", appeared on her right side first then the wolf of darkness, "Umbra", came to her left side. "Take care of his creatures." She ordered, a deadly calm unlike the rage she exhibited before. Both wolves turned their backs and ran off, tracking down each of the Unverse that were still lurking within the city.

The dark keybearer tilted her head to one side and smiled at Vanitas. An aura of darkness surrounded Selena as a certain transformation to Eblis. He wasn't aware that the she was the demon who left the scars on the cobblestone ground they stood upon during her previous visit. The whites of her eyes turned into an inky black while silver turned to an golden amber. Claws gripped tighter to the hilt of the Heartsickness as her tail swished side to the right. "Sorry, not exactly a religious person." She answered sweetly, the smile turning to a broad smirk. Selena didn't attack though; no, she stood her ground while a certain Cloud began his own assault. She didn't mind playing the patient demon and can wait her own turn.

~~~~~~~
Abilities Used: 

Wolf's Fang: A silver/blood-red wolf out of Heart's Blood comes out of her keyblade and attacks the opponent. It may team up with Selena during the two post duration. It is large enough to be ridden by Selena and/or any of her allies and not be burned.  [Duration: 2 Posts] [Ride-able!]  [HP Count: 8]

• Telepathy: The ability to speak into one’s mind. [Passive]

Umbra Wolf's Fang: A wolf of darkness comes out of her keyblade and attacks the opponent. It may team up with Selena during the two post duration. It is large enough to be ridden by Selena and/or any of her allies. Can be summoned together with Wolf's Fang. [HP Count: 8] [Duration: 2 Posts] [Ride-able!] 

Eblis: Appearance
With the darkness of her heart, Selena takes on the form of a dragon-like demon of the night. During battle, the most notable difference between this form and her normal form is the increase in speed and strength but a considerable decrease in defense. [Duration: 5 Posts]

[Deleted]

Vanitas observed the panorama of the two threats, making sure to maintain a constant watch on both of their body movements, and it was easy to do with the distance he stood from them. The moment either of them made motion to attack him, Vanitas would be ready to act, and then begin to teach them why that was such a bad idea. The hidden, but bright orbs of the Masked Boy flickered back and forth between the raven haired girl, and the enigmatic blond that had ceased to look away. A broad smirk spread across the face of the Dark Half, as the venom was spat from the lips of the angered girl, as she began to accuse Vanitas of setting her up for murder. He couldn't hold back the laugh that soon emitted filled the square, which caused some onlookers to begin to back away slowly. The heightened tension of emotion in this confrontation was beginning to become overwhelming for the weaker of heart, and as the crowd began to thin around the three unusual entities, it was beginning to become more clearer who possessed more tolerance to it.

The very euphoria that radiated from what these two beings were feeling, was truly a rush, and Vanitas simply stood there to bask in the intensity that was growing, as if feeding off of it to fuel his own. To some truth, he was. The adrenaline that he was beginning to feel from this girl's reactions made his own blood pump, not for fear or safety, nor the liklihood of a fight about to break out. This foul mouthed, poorly maintained Keybearer was beginning to get on his nerves. A certain blond came to mind when he thought about this, and the memory of Ventus mouthing off to him in Castle Oblivion was probably a good equal comparison. Needless to say her little quip had done little to diffuse the smirk on his face, which had now grown more close to a scowl than anything. It was only for a moment, before it became that evil smile once more. The aggression, the cockiness, and the confidence of this girl were certainly misplaced, probably because she didn't know who she was talking to, or possibly because she didn't know about his own Keyblade yet.

If this was the kind of warrior who always addressed her enemies this way, then Vanitas knew it would be little of a problem to swat this fly away. However her complex counterpart was another story, and the bright blue eyes of the blond were unlike any he had seen in prey before. As the girl summoned her hounds to hunt for his Unversed in the city, Vanitas gave an unamused scoff at the skill when they vanished from sight, just before the energy level around the girl began to spike. Within a matter of moments she was transformed into something...unusual. Certainly it appeared, and felt, as though the Keybearer had just turned on a whole other power source, which radiated a great amount of darkness from its core. Well it didn't betray her personality much, that was confirmed. Not a moment after this the blond guy had pushed aside some of the people surrounding him, then leaped into the sky.

Immediately Vanitas wasn't concerned about Selena if she decided to attack, having decided to take the time to open up her book of secrets, and reveal more power before the fight even began. According to what Master Xehanort had taught him, this was considered a novice mistake, especially if this truly was her highest potential. If that was the case, Vanitas had no reason to be concerned, knowing that Ventus was in a league all his own. The Dark Half merely watched as Cloud rose higher and higher, until he summoned his sword, and came down with all its weight. This guy didn't seem to be the kind to possess speed, especially with such a massive blade and the weight that came with it. Before any of the civilians knew what was happening, a loud crash rang out through the square, along with a potent cloud of dust that rose from the earth. As the sound subsided and the dust began to clear, Cloud would see Vanitas standing but a few feet from the impact, applauding the man's poor aim. His hands clapped together for a moment, before they were dropped to his sides, having taken but a moment's notice to dodge the man's predictable strike.

Vanitas then turned his sights to the transformed Selena, eyeing her intense appearance once more with a smirk of intrigue.

"Your turn"

~~~~~
Action List
1. Vanitas dodged Cloud's strike
2. N/A
3. N/A

[Deleted]

This wasn't typically Cloud's style. He never attacked first unless he was facing the One Winged Angel. Waiting for that monster to attack first would almost guarantee you loosing. But the stranger in the black and red armour wasn't Sephiroth, but he carried an air about him that stunk very much the same as the man with silver hair. Cloud hated that smell. It made him want to retch. The smell of pure Darkness coming off an individual. Whoever this masked stranger was, he was delving into the Darkness with no hope of return. He was too far gone and a path of chaos and destruction for those whom he encountered was all that lay before him. There was a great deal of pity running through the Delivery Boy's emotions which grew stronger with each passing second he spent looking at the one in black and red armour. 'Artemis' seemed to know something about who this guy was, judging from the words she spoke, but the chocobo-haired youth wasn't paying that much attention. So long as the female Keybarer kept the apparent male strange occupied, then Strife could end this situation before it grew any worse.

Mid jump though, only an instant after having summoned his Fusion Sword, the image of the female Keybarer started to change, as a great deal of Darkness begun to surround her, transforming her. Cloud stared at what was happening for but a moment too long, for when he returned his vision onto the one he was attacking, the stranger had moved aside. There was little the fake-SOLDIER could do as is plummeted into the cobblestone floor below, crushing everything that was behind him into dust with the sheer power he put into the swing of his weapon. The sound of settling dust came from all around the Living Legacy as his glowing eyes pierced through the dust to watch the silhouette of the armoured stranger. He wasn't retaliating and was instead clapping his hands, mockingly so for, as far as Cloud would guess, was due to the predictable attack.
Guess I'm still a little rusty...
Strife thought to himself as he watched the silhouette of the stranger turn back into his full visible appearance as the dust finally settled. 'Artemis' was still in her original place... apart from it wasn't 'Artemis' any more.

Similar hair and facial features though... Is it a form of hers? Was this what she was holding back from me in the Coliseum?
The young man thought as he returned his mako-blue eyes back onto the armoured stranger. Due to how he was clapping like that, he must have figured Cloud to be a slow fighter with such a large blade. If he was underestimating him, then that would only work in Cloud's favour. Even 'Artemis' was surprised by how fast he could actually move and attack with the Fusion Sword and that was just basic attacks at that. Some of the SOLDIER's more advanced techniques allowed him to move at speeds difficult to keep up with, but those would have to be revealed only when they were guaranteed to hit. No, the Delivery Boy had to be patient for now. He was dealing with a stranger of unknown origin and ability. He may not even be needed to assist the newly transformed 'Artemis'. Perhaps in this form she had the power to crush anyone that opposed her. Strife didn't know. He'd never seen this before and was merely speculating. Wishing speculating at that. No, Cloud had to imagine that whoever this stranger in the black and red armour was, he could potentially be on the same level as Sephiroth himself. With that mindset, Cloud would be ready for whatever he had to dish out.