Once in a Blue Moon (LEA)

In the Gate Bastion observatory, Omega was running about like a giddy schoolboy.

"oh-em-gee!! It's going to start soon!"

Omega had opened the dome of the observatory to its fullest extent to allow as much moonlight into the room as possible. On the walls were hundreds of star charts and celestial maps; all depicting the current goings on in the great firmament. The ground had been covered in a series of elaborate magic circles and ancient symbols depicting the stars.

Omega could barely contain himself as he finished his final calculations.
I can't believe I actually get to see it happen!!
He leaned over a chart he had stretched out on the table at which he was working. Each planet was aligned with its dominant sign. Aries with Mars; Venus with Taurus, and so on.

Omega hurriedly dug through files of ancient manuscripts. He was searching for an older map containing the constellations of the Greater Dragons

"Ah, HA!"

Omega pulled out a dusty old map and blew on it. The cloud of dust slowly lifted into the air and floated off into the night sky. On the map was depicted the paths of the ancient Greater Dragons. Slezyn stood facing Lithiuan; Pyria accompanied by Zelpher; Roanok escorting Areina; Taiken facing Shilera.

"Such strange occurrences" Omega mused with a content smile on his face.

Tonight the stars were in perfect harmony. Nature would be rejoicing at the perfect balance of all things. Tonight was the perfect night to summon the spirits of the stars, and Omega planed on doing just that.

Just as Omega was pouring himself a glass of rum, the doors to the observatory were opened and a pair of emerald eyes was seen beyond the threshold.

"It's about time!" Omega said cheerfully over his shoulder.

He turned with a flourish to face his esteemed visitor.

"Now are you ready for the greatest summoner's duel ever!"

ooc: how's that ^^ I hope it’s long enough

Sileya stepped through the doorway and entered the celestial observatory. Her breath was taken from her by the beauty and majesty of it all. She felt at home here. Her great broadsword, the Dragonfire, resonated as the spirits of the Greater Dragons trembled with anticipation. Raising an eyebrow, the Elven maiden spoke to the sole occupant of the chamber.

“I knew there would be someone else here, but I didn’t know it would be another summoner like me. I can feel spirits radiating inside you.”

The summoner grinned and offered the Elf a drink, but Sileya politely declined with a wave of her hand.

“Let’s skip the preliminaries and not waste the time we have. The stars are in harmony, and they are calling to me.”

She absent-mindedly stroked the hilt of the Dragonfire. Moving to one of the nearby magic circles, Sileya opened herself to the surging spirits of the Greater Dragons. Each one demanded her attention, eager to be the first one summoned. Not wanting to play favorites, Sileya deliberated over her choice for a considerable amount of time. She caressed each one of the Dragons briefly, making sure each one knew she was thinking about him or her. Finally, Sileya settled on the Wind Elemental, Zelpher.

The magic circle she was standing in took on a bright green hue, and a wind picked up. The Dragonfire released a beam of green light upward and out through the open dome of the observatory. In response to Sileya’s call, the constellation of Zelpher pulsed, sending an even greater amount of wind energy back down to the Dragonfire. In an explosion of light, the Wind Dragon, Zelpher, appeared beside Sileya. His jade scales glistened with the light of the stars, and a growl of pleasure rumbled form deep within his chest.

A wave of immense fatigue washed over Sileya, and her vision blurred for a few brief seconds. Sighing, the Elf involuntarily dropped to her knees and chose to remain there. Smiling up at the Dragon who now possessed a portion of her lifeforce, Sileya blinked and then shifted her attention to the summoner on the other side of the room.

OoC: Yay! Yeah, your post was long enough. You don’t have to write novels unless you just really want to. ^^

“Wow…it’s umm…big”, Omega said looking up at the jade dragon.

The Ancient dragon heaved a deep sigh as it extended its wings stretching. The strong gusts caught Omega off guard and nearly threw him to the ground. Regaining his balance, the bard stepped into one of the many summoning circles.

Setting his drink down on the nearest table, he turned towards the elf, “Might I have the honor of knowing your name, fair maiden?”

“Sileya”, the lady summoner replied, “and yours?”

“Mine’s Omega. Umm…I suppose I should summon something myself, huh.” Omega’s cocky grin glinted in the moonlight (ooc: glint XP)

Focusing all of his energy, Omega began to summon the spirits of the Zodiac. The Star Compass, hanging lightly on his neck, began to glow. Omega clutched it, and its light suddenly went out. A light breeze blew in from the east, strewing dried leaves and flower petals across the observatory. The wind quickly escalated to a full-blown maelstrom.

The great Zelpher was unfazed bye the storm, but he lowered his wing to shield the kneeling Sileya from the blasts of wind. After a few seconds that seemed like an eternity the winds died down. Zelpher lowered his wing and revealed four strange spirits standing in the center of the observatory.

Two of them were young boys, identical twins. They were both clad in pale green tunics and in each held a short sword. On the hilts of their swords was the mark of Gemini.

Standing next to them was a tall Grecian looking man with tight black curls and a toga. He is holding a large pitcher of magical water. Steam frothed over the edges of the urn, and the mystical water sublimed straight into the air. On his vase was the mark of Aquarius.

The final spirit summoned was wearing a ling white robe. He held the scales of justice in one hand, and the sword of righteousness in the other. The crown about his head bore the mark of Libra.

Omega had picked his glass back up and had begun sipping when…

I shall not play your games.

The strange astral reverberated throughout the observatory, startling Omega. Sileya maintained her composure.

I, Libra, will not compete.

The spirit of Libra glided slowly over to the sidelines. Omega looked dumbfounded; Sileya looked amused.

“Do you have this much control over all your summons?” She asked.

“Yes…I mean no…I mean…” Omega was clearly getting confused. The voice of Libra reverberated once more.

I am only to observe on behalf of the stars. The duel must be fair. This will decide the FUTURE.

“Whatever”, Omega said offhandedly. “Ladies first” he said with a flourish.

"It will be my pleasure," Sileya replied with a smile.

Concentrating on Zelpher, the Elf formed a telepathic bond with the Dragon.

Okay, Zelpher, don't use your full power just yet. Conserve your strength and concentrate your attacks. May the wind beneath your wings guide you to a swift and sure victory.

The Wind Dragon beamed with affection for his summoner. He bent his head down closer to Sileya, and she gently rubbed his jawbone. A sound resembling that of a cat's purr resounded deep in his chest cavity.

Thank you, Little One. I will do my utmost best.

Zelpher lifted his head slowly and reluctantly away from Sileya and focused on the two Zodiac summons. They did not appear to pose much of a threat, but the ancient Dragon knew that appearances can be deceiving. With a rush of wind, the great Dragon unfurled his wings, shot into the air, and released a blast of slicing wind at the Zodiac pair with a powerful beat of his wings.

“Gemini!! Get out of the way!!” Omega shouted!

The two zodiac spirits quickly jumped apart, barely dodging the blast of air. The great dragons attack hit the hard stone floors of the observatory, and sent small hairline fractures throughout the marble. In an instant, the Gemini were back on their feet preparing another assault.

They are fast, Sileya thought. but not fast enough. Take them down now, Zelpher.

The ancient Zelpher nodded in agreement and turned quickly to his side. The dragon’s massive tail swept around him and whipped at the oncoming spirits. The nearer of the twins was caught of guard, and was thrown across the length of the room. The latter, now aware of the attack, was able to jump out of the way. The spirits of Gemini were now separated on opposite sides of the great observatory.

“Oh snap. Aquarius, could you please provide some cover?” Omega said as her turned to the taller Grecian looking spirit.

Aquarius slowly turned his urn upside down. The icy waters poured out and almost instantly turned into a strange, thick, white mist. The cloud forms undulated across the floor and quickly began to fill the air. The mist was so thick that one could not see the giant dragon that now stood dauntingly in the center of the arena.

Having expended all of his energy creating enough mist to fill the entire arena, Aquarius faded from existence.

“Now you see them…now you don’t. Gemini Attack!!”

From the sidelines, all Sileya could hear were the sounds of Gemini’s swords clanging against Zelpher’s hard dragon scales.

Zelpher, get up out of the mist!! Sileya cried as she clenched the hilt of the Dragonfire

With one strong beat of his giant wings, Zelpher was off the ground and rising quickly above the mists. He had a few decent cuts along his forelegs and face, where the Gemini had caught him off guard. As the blood slowly dripped off his jade scales, Zelpher turned to see Gemini charging straight for him. He let out a great roar and sent a wide sickle of air towards the oncoming spirits. The Gemini twins were once again caught off guard by Zelpher’s astonishing reaction time, and they were sent hurtling towards the observatory floor.

End it now, Zelpher! Sileya exclaimed to the jade Dragon.

Zelpher obligingly nodded his head once and focused all his energy into his final attack--the Whirling Maelstrom. Green tendrils of wind energy rippled across his shimmering scales as the Dragon's gaze locked onto the pair of identical twins sprawled on the floor. The fog that had blanketed the observatory floor was beginning to dissipate, allowing Zelpher a clear view of Gemini. His entire body brimming with energy, Zelpher's eyes glowed a brilliant green as terrific gusts whipped throughout the chamber. The pulsating winds gathered at a single point directly above Zelpher, and the Dragon spirit shaped the raw energy into a conic shape. With a mighty beat of his great wings, Zelpher sent the swirling mass of deadly energy plummeting toward the Gemini twins.

Sure of Zelpher's triumph, Sileya smiled to herself. And that's check and mate.

OoC: Sorry it took so long for me to reply. ^^;; You know all about what happened...

"Oh fiddle-sticks"

The blast met the twins head on, and it sent them twirling down towards the ground. Their impact made a great wind throughout the Observatory and sent the remainder of the mist flying out the doors. The two spirits of Gemini faded out, all of their energy being dissipated. Libra walked slowly out into the middle of the arena and signaled with his sword.

The Ancient Dragons lead with one point.

"Gee thanks for the notification. I wouldn't have noticed." Omega glared at the tall figure.

Sileya couldn't help but smirk. This duel was becoming more and more interesting.

Omega turned back towards Sileya with a new fire in his eyes. "Time for round two, Scorpio it's show time!"

The room suddenly grew very dark, as a cloud passed in front of the argent moon. In the Plutonian night Sileya heard the sounds of laughter and the crack of a whip against the cold stone floor. In the candle light two virescent eyes could be seen. When the light returned a figure stood in the center of the arena.

Scorpio stood staring down her foe. Balanced on her sharp stilettos, she cracked her whip menacingly. Her entire ensemble was composed of leather and spikes. She continued to snap her long barbed whip as she sashayed towards the battle weary dragon.

"Muahahahaha", Omega laughed maliciously, "I just love fan service"

Sileya eyed Scorpio cautiously. This new summon might prove to be more of a challenge than Gemini had been. Zelpher stood to one side of the Elf, bent slightly from fatigue. His once-vibrant scales had grown dull, and it took much effort for the jade Dragon to breathe. He was clearly exhausted and in no condition to fight another round.

Zelpher, your time is through. I'm going to unsummon you.

Zelpher's reply beat against Sileya's mind like a battering ram. No! I can continue! Let me fight for you!

Sileya shook her head negatively. No, my friend. You cannot go on. For your sake, I'm dismissing you.

Before Zelpher could protest, Sileya had broken her connection with the Dragon's mind, and with a wave of her hand, she caused the Wind Dragon to dissipate in a cloud of emerald mist. A stab of disappointment coursed through her mind from the last vestiges of Zelpher's spirit.

With her first summon gone, Sileya wasted no time in calling upon her next Dragon. A light shone forth from the pommel stone of the Dragonfire that shot toward the heavens. This time, however, the constellation of the Light Dragon, Lithiuan, resonated in response to the Elven maiden's call. In a brilliant flash of silver light, the female Dragon herself appeared beside the small form of Sileya. Lithiuan bent her neck down so the Elf could lovingly rub her jaw. That strange, rumbling purr that Dragons use to convey pleasure emanated from the Light Dragon's throat.

Offhandedly, Sileya spoke to Omega. "It's your turn."

***LEA and Omega Star both invited me to join their battle, so...yeah**

The leather clad Scorpio and shimmering dragon faced one another. And from the observatory opening, one could see the radiant oblivion dotted with stars. Suddenly, a thunderous boom could be heard from outside the room. The large gate-like doors wined with abuse, and then a large crack followed by splintering wood occupied the entrance. From the dark, dusty corridor came a set of glowing eyes. A dark haired, pale woman seemingly hobbled from the darkness.
The woman spoke in an alien voice, one filled with anger and arrogance.

Foolish, foolish practicioners. To expose such feeble power and uncouth magic is, by far, amateur. I shall show you the true nature of this most beautiful art.

The voice echoed through the stone encased room, and then a shrill, girlish scream burst from her chest

Help me...it's "him"...OH GOD!!...my name is Alexi...help...me

The demonic voice returned in a horrific chide.

Shut up girl. Nothing can help you. I'll do with you as I like

From Alexi's huge gauntlet's, scores of wicked chains danced and striked out, into the air. The audience of four, Omega and Scorpion, Sileya and her radiating dragon, seemed perplexed at their new rival. Their expressions turned from confusion to awe as sweet crimson life poured from Alexi's wrists and across the flailing chains. Black shadows fluttered around Alexi's body, batheing her in a soft ebony glow. An evil, curling smile crossed her face, and then the chains melded into one huge, bloody wrath of metal. The coursing shadows flowed onto the chain, then to the serrated tip. Black, crackling flesh began to form and take shape. Through blood, new flesh, and snapping jaws, a three-headed dog-like beast breathed, knashing its fangs. Each independent head possessed a unique feature. The middle face gave an icy glare. Bits of frost stuck to its mouth and whiskers. The right head looked cinderous and burnt, ashes fell from its snarling lips. And finally, the left head seemed lost in sight and motion. It moved slowly, swaying to an unknown beat.
With chain, black crusted flesh, and drying blood, Alexi spoke in a pompous tone.

So, which shall I teach first, the true higher art of summoning?

A hellish grin froze upon her features, as did a sharp gremlin glare in her eyes.

The night waned on, the stars ever present in the night's glorious view. Dust layered the air, giving a glowing atmosphere of tranquility before the nearing chaos.

ooc: Sorry about taking so long on this. ^^;; Hope this advances the plot sufficiently for my post.

bic:
The once calm serenity of the observatory had been thrown into chaos by the new challenger. While Scorpio looked at the visitor uninterested, Libra flew into a righteous rage.

How Dare you disturb the sanctity of this duel!!

He was obviously not amused by the visitor's words. A piercing wind blew in from the west as Libra glided along the arena floor towards the gigantic beast of blood and chains. With one elegant sweep of his long sword, the skies were torn asunder by transitory bursts of lightning. The bolts of sky-fire began to rain down on the observatory floor creating scorched marks in the once lustrous marble.

You have been weighed, and you have been found wanting!

Suddenly, thunderous bolts fell from the vaulted firmament and struck Alexi’s infernal summon. Omega observed all of this from the sanctuary of an overturned table.

ooc: Man, Omega is such a scaredy cat. XP

The momentary surprise Sileya felt at the strange girl’s entrance was quickly swept away by overwhelming concern for her. That had been a plea for help, no doubt of that. Something obviously had control over her, and the girl clearly didn’t like that. Setting her jaw firmly in determination, Sileya decided that she would attempt to help the girl escape from the clutches of her controller.

“Lithiuan, go help Libra. But…try not to hurt the girl.”

The Silver Dragon rumbled acquiescence deep within her powerful chest.

I will try, Small One. Please go join the other summoner behind that table. I do not want you to get hurt.

Allowing Sileya no time for protest, Lithiuan spread her magnificent wings with a mighty rush of wind and sped over to where Libra was occupied with the girl’s monstrous creature. With a slight sniff of annoyance, Sileya stared after her friend. The Dragons still thought they could tell their own summoner what to do.

On the other hand, there’s not much else for me to do right now. I might as well go join Omega under the table…

Shaking her head at herself, Sileya strode over to the overturned table that Omega had turned into a shelter. Upon reaching it, she raised an eyebrow and glanced down. An awkward moment of silence ensued as Omega noticed the Elf staring down at him. Deciding to break the tension, Sileya coughed once.

“Uh…Lithiuan told me to…ah…come over here and…uh…stay with you behind this…ah…table…”

Sileya, suddenly very much embarrassed, shuffled her feet and shifted her gaze to the floor. Omega’s face broke into a grin.

“So, who has hardly any control over their own summons now? Hmmm? Do you always jump when your Dragons tell you to? OW!!”

Omega vigorously rubbed at his shin where Sileya had placed a firm kick to it. A grin spread across Sileya’s face. She sat down beside Omega and gently punched his shoulder.

“If you don’t make fun of me and my Dragons, I won’t make fun of you and your Zodiacs. Deal?”

Still rubbing at his shin, Omega nodded in agreement. Together, they then turned their attentions toward Libra, Lithiuan, the creature, and the strange girl.

OoC: You’re up, ForeverKnight.

**Yeah, I'd be scared too, freaky posessed chick....weird**

The tower boomed with the thunderous processions from Libra.
Omega and Sileya watched the escalating battle from the safety of the
table. Wild, painful screams burst forth from Alexi's mouth as she was
dragged forward by her advancing monstrousity. Her fight for control
over the beast became more and more incongrous; and as so, spills of red
liquidy life occurred in a more frequent manner. Soon, the snarling
upheavels and terrible rages had became so violent, nearly all was covered
in Alexi's juices.

Omega and Sileya looked at each other; Omega wiped the blood from his
face in a perched frown of disgust.

"EWW!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sileya nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, deciding that the stand-off was over, the black ebon beat roared
to life. With pulsing, leathery muscle and an unearthly speed, the monster
seemingly leaped unto the three opponents. It knashed and toar into the silver
dragon, Lithiuan. Not able to rip through the shimmering dragon's tough scails,
the fanged mass clamed its jaws around Lithiuan's neck. The other two heads,
on either side of the one engaged in conflict, looked menacingly about the room,
focusing their gaze at Libra and Scorpio. The leather clad summon pleasantly
hissed at the beast, her leather and spiles a slimy red tint. With a crack
of her whip, Scorpio acknowledged the duel. Enraged and vengeful, Libra, though
umpleasantly sticky from head to toe in (OOC: You guessed It!!!) a red glaze, marched
toward the creature.

"Best of blasphemy, I shall vanquish thee!"

Lithiuan snapped and roared at its captor. Writhing under the crushing
force of the evil beast, Lithiuan musterd all its strength. Sileya could
feel the dragon's desperation, and in a gesture, she opened up the connection
she posessed with the dragons. She gave much needed words of encouragement.

"Don't give up Lithiuan. I'm behind you in all of this my friend."

With these words, a rush of vibrant energy filled the dragon. Surging its wings
high into the air, the dragon gave one huge beat of its wings. The mass
of the dragon and attached beast rose steadily into the air. Taking the
opportunity, Libra and Scorpio lashed out at the creature. With snapping
whip, Scorpio launched itself into the air, wrapping its leather armanent
around the middle head. Beside Scorpio, leapt Libra, Sword of justice in
hand. Libra struck at the floating beast, landing a blow to the left head.
The black beast's head cleanly lopped off, followed by a burst of flames, blood,
and thicker things out of the remaining neck. Libra dodged the blow, letting the mass
of fire and flesh fly past her at down towards the "safe" table. At just that second,
Omega looked above the table to catch a glimpse of the action. The hellish fire
engulfed his head, leaving his face and hair singed, and he received a new
coat of monster goo. Sileya snickered at Omega's folly.

The right head hissed at Scorpio as it fell upon the floating beast. The flying
whip wrapped tightly around the monster's head, leather cords ripping into the
carrion flesh. The head screamed, and from its mouth a wave of energy escaped.
It reverberated intensely, seeming to slow time and space around it. Scorpio
looked in horror as the air around her body became cold. The roomed seemed
to stop, motion ceased. Then suddenly the room toar around her in a crashing
thunder. Without realizing, she was flying back, falling rapidly into the wall. Her whip
tightened, and as she neared the wall, its prey gave way and the head of the beast
ripped off in a spray of fleshy slime. Omega finished wiping away the previous bits of
"nasty" as a new flood fell on him, drenching his garments. Sileya laughed and snickered. Omega
became thoroughly annoyed.

With one head left and two bloody stumps, the beast dangled helplessly in the air.
The great dragon heaved heavily at the beast, and slammed both of them into the ground. Dust
flickered through the moonlight, and settled upon the room. With a coat of reddish tint, the room
sparlked in a disturbing way. Out of the crater like hole in the hard floor rose the silver dragon. Alexi lay
battered on the floor, trying to push herself up, tears seared her eyes.

"Please, Oh! please, help me. He's ripping me apart from the inside."

From the desperate plea, rose the gremlin voice, a dark and disturbing force.

"Haha, you amuse me with your weak dispatchment of my beast. Let's see how you fair against
a higher being. Hahahah."

Suddenly, with glowing body, Alexi's body rose into the serene calm of the moonlight. The chains became ripe with
blood and a new force. Thick shadowy threads spiraled up the chains to the fallen beast. Sileya and Omega looked
in horror at what was taking place. Omega more so, because he, of the three, knew what was about to happen.
The fallen mass rose to its feet, and then became a formless blob of carrion meat. A dark, convulsing
ball of matter erupted from Alexi's back, leaving no trace of harm. It floated towards the creature, pulling Alexi
along with it. In one movement, it fused with the blob. Flesh once again hardened and formed, and Alexi was
pulled into the mess. Out of the ripping and tearing of sinewy meat, a great giant demon-like creature
emerged, far more deadly than the first. Alexi's body was pulled into the chest of the beast, chains wrapping her
weak limbs into the flesh. A man-like head clad with horns and fangs formed at the top of the beast. Four huge rippling legs
formed as well. A large barbed tail swung back and forth from the body. And the three dog-like heads fleshed out
from just under Alexi's crumpled body. The four headed monstrousity loomed over the other inhabitants of the room. The beast
laughed in excitement.

"Now you can see me in a truer form, no need for that worthless mortal's body. Whose flesh shall I cut
first. Hmmmm?"

**Heha...yeah....kinda weird...ok, OMega, your up**

ooc:
I’m terribly sorry a bout the delay on this post. Everything has been kind of chaotic. ^^;;;


ic:

Sheets of dust fell from the buttressing rafters of the observatory. Pearly white slabs of marble, now charred and coated with blood and dirt, jutted out of the floor at odd angles. This place of peace and knowledge had been transformed into a strange sort of hell. It’s new demonic overlord stood in the center of the carnage dealing with the mild annoyance of the charging summons.

That demon is much stronger than any I have ever encountered before. I must stop this Omega thought to himself. If this continues much longer, the observatory will collapse and kill us all.

Omega looked to the skies as if to seek advice. Suddenly a look of comprehension crossed his mind, and he jumped to his feet. At that same instant, one of the support beams began to give way.

“Libra, reinforce the beam.”

Libra ceased his assault on the great beast and went over to the beam. With once fluid movement, the summon of the scales transferred his energy to the column. All of his energy now gone Libra faded from our reality.

“Scorpio, time to go all out.” Omega turned to Sileya, who was still sitting behind the table. “Cover me. I have a plan.” With a wink Omega jumped over the stone table and began to sprint across the war torn room.

Scorpio lashed out at the beast. At the same time she kept trying to avoid striking the bound body of Alexi.

“Pathetic creature”, said Alexi’s possessor with an evil grimace.

The giant demon leapt onto Scorpio. Pinned by the beast, she had nowhere to run to. Scorpio glared up into the face of her opponent.

“Such defiance for such an insignificant being…you amuse me”

Scorpio suddenly let out a sonorous alto laugh. In one final act of defiance she pulled a silver wire attached to her belt. The demon’s gargantuan form fell abruptly to the ground. Scorpio had sacrificed her mortal form for the time being and had become a corrosive toxin that now ate away at the demons form.

Smoke from the burnt blood drifted out of the scars inflicted by the plutonian summon, just as Omega leapt into a summoning circle on the other side of the room.

ooc: I hope that is sufficient. ^^