Activation Serum (Too Many People to Name Here)

[Power Shot]

Clang.

Jaina’s eyes fluttered. Her bedroom was dark, the candle on her nightstand had long died out, probably shortly after she fell asleep. She blinked, and looked up to where the loud noise had come from. The curtains around her windows were drawn, as it was a cloudless night, and the moon’s light was very bright. Outside, hanging just in front of the mirror, Jaina could swear that a man was standing. “I must be seeing things,” she murmured softly, and rubbed her eyes. She sat up in her bed, and drew her sleep clothes around her body to warm herself. It was a chilly night, and she had more than one blanket covering her.

She stifled a yawn and stood up from the bed. The figure outside wavered slightly in the curtains. She took hold of the soft fabric, and drew them away to expose whoever was waiting for her. “Are you a Domerii?” she asked the figure, unsure of whether she was still dreaming. “What are you doing here so late?”

The figure lowered himself to eye level with the lady. “I am not a Domerii, young Jaina,” he replied suavely, and bowed his head. “I am here to escort you to the Dark Eye. My name is Elrick of Red.” The figure smiled, and held out his hand. Jaina noticed that it was covered in an odd gauntlet. “You are needed for a mission. Don’t worry.” He looked up, and his azure eyes noticed that she was having doubts. “I won’t harm you. I promise.”

Jaina was still very sleepy and, thinking it was a dream, willingly opened the window to the calm, seductive voice. She took the hand of the man, and saw to her surprise that he stood suspended in midair aboard a simply massive sword colored red. “Don’t worry,” he said, as she stepped onto the sword. “You won’t fall. I promise.” Elrick of Red smiled, which turned into a grin, and retrieved a small letter from the insides of his cloak. He set it on the windowsill and closed the glass shutters before he left. Beneath him, the Bloodsword began to slowly move downward.
***
“Now, if you will come through this door, I shall take you to where you are to wait.” Still holding her hand, Elrick gracefully opened the door to Laboratory #3 and allowed her to enter before he did. The blood master, ignoring the bodies that littered the lab, took her to the back, where the master of the laboratory was waiting. “But first, my friend here wants to say something.”

Jaina looked around in slight confusion. “Who is here besides us?”

Elrick smiled. Out of the darkness, Elrick could see the hulking frame of the iron giant himself. The Dark Eye introduced himself physically before he did so verbally. Jaina’s eyes grew progressively larger as the monster emerged from the shadows. Chronos entered the dim light of his laboratory’s experiments, which caused the young lady to shudder slightly. “Do you know who I am?” he hissed to the girl. “Answer.”

“Aren’t you Mesfido’s and my teacher?” she asked. “We had Kenjin, but you replaced him. You’re the Dark Eye.”

“Yes.” Chronos relaxed as well as he could so as to not frighten Jaina. “I am not going to hurt you, but I do need you for something. The Red here will take you in the back to a comfortable, soundproof room, where you may resume your night’s sleep. You will not remain there for more than forty-eight hours, but it is important that you do this.” He reached into his coat with his right hand, and retrieved a syringe. “This will place you in a hibernation state for that length of time.”

Chronos tossed the needle to Elrick, who grabbed it by the handle. “Come on, let’s get you back to bed. He’s just going to bore you right back to sleep.” Jaina was already yawning again, and nodded eagerly. Elrick obeyed, and stuck the syringe into her skin. The girl’s eyes fluttered, and eventually closed. The blood master caught her just as she fell, and carried her into the back. After a few minutes, he reemerged.

“Are her vitals fine?”

Elrick nodded. “No problem, tough guy. She’s sleeping like a baby, and I’ll keep track of her blood from right here,” he answered, and knocked lightly against his head with a knuckle. “All these big machines and stuff can’t compare to my magical blood.”

“I doubt that. I could remove your powers right now.”

Elrick shook his head. “You take away my powers, I die. And you can’t kill. Impossible paradox. I win.” He heard Chronos shuffled back into the dark, and sighed. “Hey, big guy, why are you always hiding in there? We kidnapped her five minutes ago. There is no way that he comes in here so fast.”

“I have to prepare something.” From the darkness, Chronos placed a few vials of liquid onto a tray and scooted it into the light. “Do you know what these are?”

“If I say yes, will that save me the hour-long lecture that might follow a negative answer?” Elrick joked. Chronos did not answer, and began to arrange the compounds into different groups. “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the big plan?”

“I am testing these chemicals under combat circumstances.” With his one hand, the Dark Eye grabbed a vial of purple liquid and placed it in the center of the tray. To the left of it were test tubes containing yellow and green compounds, respectively. “The purple liquid is my negation serum. The original compound is a viral infection, and any supernatural powers are negated and the body is reverted to a standard being. However, there are exceptions. If the compound is directly liked to DNA, power will be retained, as the power is directly linked to genetics. It will instead be lessened to the most basic form of power.”

Elrick yawned loudly. “What’s that got to do with this one? What’re you planning to do with this stuff anyway?”

Chronos opened the vial containing the purple liquid, and set the lid down before reaching for the yellow tube. “The compound I use is a bacterial alteration. It infects the body quicker, and when the antidote is given, the compound can be used again and again, as opposed to the original version, which was a one-time agent, a last resort. The bacterial agent is weaker, but its repetitive uses outweigh the lessened strength.” He poured the yellow compound in, and the liquid began to swirl. “I developed a new agent that should reverse the abilities of this compound. It will give enhanced powers to anyone who takes it for a time until an antidote is provided.”

“So that’s why you’re testing it this way. You want a good fight, huh?” the Red asked.

Chronos nodded. “It should allow for that, but a ‘good fight’ is not what I am looking for.” He placed the tube next to the green one to take the second into his hand. “Instead, I hope to be able to create a new compound to suppress powers. One that I will be able to ingest and react to.” The vial transformed into a deep orange for some unusual reason Elrick did not want to know, as it would involve more scientific theory that he wouldn’t understand.

“So…you’re going to make him and me stronger for the fight, because you want to get weaker. I got that right?”

Chronos did not answer, and the Red did not press the issue. “When Mesfido arrives, I will circulate the activation serum in the ventilation system. This will greatly enhance yours and his abilities, so be prepared for the additional power. After I have seen enough, I will enter and cease the conflict, as well as give you both the antidote. I do not believe that circulation of this drug will be very safe after roughly five hours, its half-life. Understand?”

Elrick nodded. “Yeah. I can’t be here for too long. Nenet will probably want me to return to the mountains soon. I can’t leave her alone for too long, she’s been acting kind of strange lately.”

“Help me clear the room. I do not want the fights destroying my experiments. I will prepare my circulation system.”

[Mr.Man]

Mesfido awoke abruptly. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it. Whether it was a change in the wind, a different position of the moon or simply the absence of a song bird he could not tell. Everything was not as it should be.

He pulled himself into a sitting position, his knees held between his arms. Verax lay on the balcony, wrapped in its leather sheath. The wrapping on its handle had returned. They had disappeared when during his training with Zorlo, but since waking in the infirmary they had reappeared. Mesfido looked as powerful as ever. His body was strong and muscular. His wings were magnificent, even with the red streaks that tinted them. His hair hung loose, a rare sight. He willed it to tie itself, threads of hair twirling about others and transforming it into the three plaits he nearly always wore. Such was the power of the Crimson Blood. Anything that was part of his body was under his complete control.

The fallen angel’s eye gazed out over the Dome gardens. It was still night. The mooning was suspended high in the sky, casting its pale hue across the Dome. The stars shone bright as ever. They were one of Mesfido’s favourite things about the Dome. A gentle breeze wandered over the angel’s balcony. A soft face entered his mind, as it so often did – the face of Jaina Alsardor. It was then at that very moment that he knew what was wrong.

Mesfido grabbed Verax, slinging the sheath quickly over his back. His gigantic wings burst open, propelling him towards the nearest corridor. He flew with purpose, making straight for his love’s bedroom. It was not to make some perverse late night first but to make sure she was alive and well. He feared she wasn’t. Never would he let that happen again. The sight of her twisted neck entered his mind again, as it so often did. He had promised Kenjin and himself that he would protect her.

He reached her mahogany door. His wings brought him to sudden stop. Not wasting a second, he knocked on the solid door. No reply. He knocked again.

“Jaina? Are you in there?”

Still no reply. Worry was beginning to fill him. He lowered his shoulder and slammed it against the wooden door. It burst open. Bending down through the door frame the angel gazed around the room. She wasn’t there. Her fire was out, a truly rare sight. She always kept it running. The deep red curtains were swaying. The window was open. A letter sat on the windowsill, glowing in the moonlight. Mesfido snatched it up instantly, tearing it open without a second thought. He had never known Jaina to leave in the middle of the night, especially not through a window. Someone must have taken her. That someone was kind enough to leave a note.

Mesfido,

I think it’s about time we met. I’ve heard a lot about you from Kenjin. If you want Jaina back, you’re going to have come get her. Come to Laboratory #3. I’ll be waiting.

Elrick, the Red.

Elrick, it sounded familiar. He said he knew Kenjin. That didn’t matter. He had kidnapped Jaina. A flame appeared in Mesfido’s palm, instantly incinerating the letter. He could feel his anger building. He turned, rushing through the doorway and leaping into the air once more. He had never heard of there being Laboratories in the Dome, but now he would have to find them.

A mischievous voice sounded in his head, Elrick will be expecting you to come alone. Perhaps it would be wise to bring reinforcements.

Umbru always had a trick or two up his sleeve. He was right, Elrick, knowing how enraged Mesfido would become on discovering Jaina was gone, would presume he would make straight for the Labs, just as he was doing. However, if the fallen angel was to bring with him a small army, no matter how strong this Elrick turned out, they would be able to overpower him. Mesfido, for this long time spent in the Dome, knew few people. There was one however that sprung to mind – Zorlo. He and the fencer had had a simply incredible fight not too long ago. With the help of Zorlo, Elrick would not stand a chance. The angel stopped himself for a second. He ripped a piece of parchment out of his tan trousers. He dug his fingernail into his palm, drawing out some blood. It caused him no pain whatsoever. Using his nail as a quill and his blood as ink, he scribbled a quick note.

Zorlo,

I need your help, fast. Bring others if you can, strong fighters. Meet me at Laboratory #3. I may already be inside when you arrive.

Mesfido.

The fallen angel glanced briefly over the letter, it would have to do. “I need a Domerii, now.” He roared out to the empty Dome halls. A little, clearly irritated man appeared beside him. He was wearing a nightcap.

Mesfido thrust the crude letter into the Domerii’s hands. “Take this to Zorlo, now!” He spun, continuing on his journey to the Labs. The others would arrive soon he would hope. He would start without them. His anger would consume him otherwise. Venalis may have been locked deep in the angel’s mind, but perhaps give the right emotions, he would emerge. Mesfido had to vent his anger somehow. Elrick would be the perfect punching bag.

* * * *

Mesfido arrived at a large steel door. Laboratory #3 was emblazoned across its surface. It was no more than twenty minutes since the angel had woken. Every minute he waited could have been torture for Jaina. For all he knew, Elrick, the Red could be using her as part of some diabolical experiment. He could not wait for Zorlo to arrive. He would have to start the party without him. Mesfido slammed the steel door open. He opened his mouth, ready to call out his challenge. A strange hissing filled the air. A thick cloud of mist entered his lungs, burning his throat. He fell to the floor, gasping for breath. Mesfido could hear a similar noise coming from across the room.

OoC: Not exactly my best post ever, but it does the job. Power Shot, I hope you realise that none of your serums are going to be able to affect the Seven Elements. Mesfido's own powers will increase/decrease but the Seven's won't. Also, don't forget Elrick won't be able to control my lil angel's blood thanks to the Crimson Blood.

[Zorolo]

Snow fell softly in the pine filled room that the fencer had created. The Aura Master, ever a person to be doing something, was, very clearly, up to something, even into the wee hours of the night. The fencer had, most recently, taken himself into examining and cataloguing all the animals that lived in his room, in each of the forms he could create.

Thus far, well, he'd extensively catalogued the lush jungle inhabitants, and then, he'd gone into the deciduous forest and gone through the process of cataloguing the few animals he had found there. Right now, the green haired man was taking notes on a form of yeti he had found living in the deeper part of him room. His notes were specific on detail, and now he was examining them for sake of cultural activities.

The fencer's pen scribbled fast in the notes as he intently watched a mother yeti with her newborn child, tending to it. His pen pressed against the paper again after a quick dip in the ink well next to him, and his red feathered quill got to work on his more in depth notes. Something about this interesting and rare breed of creature made it next to impossible to be taken away from his research.

"Excuse me, sir," a very nasally voice said up to the Aura Master, causing him to lose his balance and fall from his perch in a nearby pine tree. The resounding crash caused the mother yeti to become quickly defensive and move towards the two. The fencer grabbed the foolish Domerri and moved a few feet away.

"What is it?" the fencer whispered when the yeti had left. Slowly moving his hand from the creature's mouth, it moved away from the green haired man and handed him a letter.

"Here, sir," the creature spoke again and then waddled off.

"What a strange group of creatures," Zorlo mused as he stood up and moved towards the interior of the Dome. The fencer opened the letter and read it over. An interesting call for help from a more then powerful warrior. This couldn't be ignored, for if Mesfido needed help, whoever he was about to fight would have had to be extremely powerful, at least in spoken word, anyway.

The Aura Master slipped the piece of parchment into a pocket in his jacket and spawned the door to his room, leaving it without much second thought. The green haired man could only think of a few powerful people in the Dome he could ask, but knew most of them were probably busy. Seeing as Cadenza left, she was off the list; Louis... well, he was a busy man too; Hunter? Well, the prince could help, but the fencer knew he'd be busy now that Cadenza had left again.

Aside from those people, the Aura Master couldn't think of who else he could call. Something, probably the fact that Elrick of Red had aided Chronos in the past, told the fencer his former Master wouldn't be much help either. "So, who does that leave?" the fencer asked as he arrived in the laboratory buildings. "No one I can think of. Well, I guess that leaves one option."

Zorlo pulled Mercury tight around his left hand and covered it nonchalantly in aura into the aura was gathered into a thick, emerald colored flame. "I've been meaning to try this anyway. What better chance then now?" the fencer asked as he built the aura up around his index finger and thumb. A sudden, and powerful, snap released a powerful pulse of energy that shot out into existence. If the Aura Master couldn't think of people to help him, why not summon them and acquire their aid that way.

"Only enough power to contact three people, but when they here the call, it should draw them to this point. From there, well, that's rather obvious," the fencer said as he looked behind himself at the nearby labs. "It seems I'll be getting a chance to see the Dark Eye sooner then I expected."

OoC: Well, I've always wanted to do that. Now then, Zorlo's summon will be felt by everyone who hasn't posted already characters, so have fun with that. Aside from that, Shot, Chronos' energy vial's shouldn't work on Zorlo anymore since he's been exposed to them, and aside from that, his powers can't wholly be removed, since they come from his soul, but, as has been seen, they can be suppressed. All righty then, have fun everyone. ^_^

[nikuvillain]

“Nikudemon…” something soft called out to him entering his mind. The voice was unclear to him, but it reminded him of the last time Zorlo called him. The spiritual calling thing that Nikudemon still didn’t understand how it worked. He been making his way down the mountain that he’d been training on for a while now. He knew it would take one whole month to reach the bottom and he been walking now for two weeks. It’s been about two weeks now since he last saw Zorlo in that cave and now this voice was calling him.

“Nikuudemon…” the howling wind called out to him again. The swordsman’s body descended down to the rocky road of the trail he walked on. He reached for the hilt of the sword as he searched the area around. There was nothing, only the wind that blew his longer hair around in front of him. “Niku…”

“Who is it?” he asked still not moving, holding to his sword waiting to attack.

“Nikudemon…” it called out again as if to answer his question. The sound seem to be traveling through had been so long since he last walked into the Dome. Ever since he left Kenjin to train on his own he hadn’t see the door to the dome. He didn’t even know how he got into the Dome when he fought the fencer.the wind. The voice almost sounded like Zorlo, but that couldn’t be. The fencer was miles away somewhere unknown to him again.

“What do you want?” Nikudemon asked in hope to get some answer to his question. There was nothing, not even the wind blew anymore as the swordsman waited to hear an answer to his question. If it was really Zorlo calling for him he would have to rush his down from this place, but what if it was something else. He would find out hopeful as the grass blow again. Green lettering begun to appear in front of he eyes. It was like a magical spell was being caste, but this was forming words. A massage from his friend and now the leader of his group.

I request your help. I’ll be in the Dome at lab #3 of the Dark Eye.

Zorlo

The message was clear and had very little information to it, but it was enough for him to understand it. Zorlo needed his help in the Dome, but it

“My friend, I would live to help you, but I fear I’ll be too late if I don’t find away into the Dome,” he said to the green message hoping it would reach the fencer, but knew it wouldn’t. A tear came to his eye knowing the truth he wouldn’t make it in time to help the fencer in his fight. The Dome was a mystery to him, one he didn’t understand at all.

The teardrop rolled down his cheek, falling off his face, and finally splashing onto the ground below him. The little spot of water the tear made begun to grow longer, reaching to wall of the mountain to the edge. The moist dirt raised up, reaching for the sky as it grew taller and taller. It became a wall that blocked Nikudemon from going back to the summit.

What? What happening? he thought as he slowly backed up from the wall. He watched the mud wall form marking and runes that remind he of marking he saw in the Dome. Lines after lines grew and swirled along the wall. Vines shot up from the ground twirling it way up the sides of the wall. What this? Is the Dome calling me back? he questioned in his thoughts as watched the mud wall form.

Then everything stopped moving and it seemed the wall had finished. Nikudemon stood up and walked up to the large wall. He stared at the Beautiful artwork that was formed onto the wall. “Amazing,” he said almost at a whisper. Reaching out he touched one of the runes, it glowed blue and a long bright light formed down the middle of the wall. The door had opened to him once again.

[Altamira]

This mountain was cold. Invigorating. It was no Iron Cutlass Peak, but by the gods, it was the closest she had come in quite some time.

Maybe cold wasn't necessarily the right direction, Hayden thought as she trudged through the snow. Some of the other sprites had said that before. Maybe she should be searching for somewhere warm and grassy--provided that it wasn't already taken over by forest sprites. There was nothing she could do about that. They were the next level after earth; her kind enriched the soil, and then those of the forest were ushered in to cultivate life. She had to leave, no questions asked.

Perhaps there were no mountains left for her on this world; that was the worrying thought that came every few days in her search. Water and ice sprites lived upon the coldest mountains, and forest sprites upon the warm ones. Was there no inbetween left? Hayden sat down by a frozen stream and pondered this, ignoring the nip of frostbite on her ears and toes. Iron Cutlass was the only cool mountain with warm waters. There would be nowhere else.

The sprite fell asleep for a time, dreaming of hot springs and carefree days amongst the furry creatures of the mountains. When she awoke, she found that the visor of her helmet had fallen down over her eyes, and a green, blurry light was dancing before her. Trick of the light? Or am I just seeing things because of the weather's effects on me?

There was a name, it seemed, flashing before her; and then the light changed, and it was this...vaguely circular shape. A dome, even. There was a rumbling in the snow underneath her, and then her hands felt ice change to...wood?

She lifted her visor and looked down. She was sitting on a door. The oak creaked for a moment, as if yawning, and then opened its mouth and swallowed her up.

OoC: Meh, but it gets the job done. Hopefully later posts will be better.

[Halcyon Hero]

Lhaeo winced at the bright flash of green. Groaning and rolling over in his blankets, the Elemental Master cursed Zorlo for his affiliation to green. Sure, it was an alright color for the daytime, but bright flashes of it were hardly what a person wanted to see while they were trying to sleep. Lhaeo had recognized the aura-ic message as Zorlo's immediately--he had fought him way too many times before not to. Pulling the furry blanket up over his head and curling into a ball, the priest thought of the last time he had encountered the fencer. It had been brief, barely a shadow of a visit. The blonde-haired man had gone for his weapons as soon as he noticed to approaching man, but put to to the side as Zorlo greeted him with open and empty arms. The fencer had explained his circumstances, and declared Lhaeo no longer an opponent. Hardly a person to hold a grudge--even if a person had tried to kill him multiple times--Lhaeo had readily accept the message of peace.

But what did the fencer what now? And more importantly, what the hell did he want in the middle of the night? Holy men need their rest too, damn it. Furrowing his brow, Lhaeo concentrated more on the message and less on his frustrations. The green aura had several overtones to it, which Lhaeo picked up easily. The first was of a particular kind of excitement; the excitement of an approaching battle. The second was of need, indicating to Lhaeo (who hardly thought of Zorlo as somebody who personally needed any help with anything) that there were others involved, perhaps innocents. The last overtone was friendliness. And while the other two would have brought Lhaeo eventually, the last was what brought him quickly and eagerly.

<====}=0 - 0={=====>

The cool night wind flipped up the brim of Lhaeo's hat, catching at the loose strands of blonde hair beneath and causing them to tickle the man's nose. Rubbing at the offending stands with the back of his hand, Lhaeo grinned and strode forward, the bottom of his coat fluttering along behind him as he approached the lab.

[Power Shot]

“Are you ready, Elrick of Red?” the Dark Eye asked, almost casually, as he activated the machine on the far side of the room, nestled in the darkness. The Red, in response, unsheathed his behemoth sword as though a lithe stick, and grinned as he nodded. Chronos made certain the machine was at full calibration before he opened the machine to expel its noxious fumes into the air. The smog had no noticeable color, but it smelt vaguely of something medical that Elrick did not know the name for. It smelt actually rather sterile.

“How long does it take to work?”

“The Activation Serum should begin working in roughly twenty seconds after it is airborne,” Chronos answered. “I will go to Jaina’s room to make sure she remains stable. I will be watching the fight through there.” He paused, and pointed with his arm to the doorway. “I will interject the moment it seems you might be in actual danger.”

The Red blew a raspberry at the iron giant. “Not a problem, tough guy,” he replied. “I fought the strongest guy you trained, the guy who’s name started with a Z or something. If he was cake, then I’m sure this angel person won’t be a big issue to handle. I won’t be needing any help.” The Bloodsword, the giant blade of red, practically gleamed in the now-empty lab’s dim light fixtures. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask. What kind of magic do you use to power this place? It’s some kind of weird voodoo I’ve never seen before.”

“It is technology, like me, Elrick,” the Dark Eye replied. “Magic will not work well near my Arm Striker.” And with that, he began to walk towards the door, and sealed it behind him, leaving the bloodmaster all alone in the big room, waiting for the little angel to come rescue his girlfriend.

Elrick grinned. “Plus, she’s not half-bad looking,” he murmured, and stroked his firm, bare chin. “If Nenet hadn’t reeled me in with her rope… Ah, love.” Briefly, he thought of the wonderful pirate woman awaiting him back at their mountain cottage. He would be back home momentarily. All he had to do was test…

All of a sudden, Elrick of Red felt incredibly strange. It was as though a gigantic weight that had been pressing down on him all his life had suddenly been lifted. The air around him no longer smelt foul, if anything it was wonderful. Elrick, to test his strength, summoned five droplets of blood from the wound-shaped hole in his right hand. They floated up, as he commanded them, then suddenly burst off.

They collided with the portion of the wall to his left, with such force that they ricocheted like bullets off it. Indents were left in the steel from the force. Elrick cackled in the lab as the droplets returned to him, then a better idea came to his head. He poured out roughly a hundred droplets of blood, enough to make him notice the loss but enough to see what appeared to be a rather large ring around him. The strain from the blood loss was lessened, he barely felt it. Elrick scattered the blood to the furthest corners of the room, waiting for the intruders. He wanted to see what this newfound power would do if it attacked regular opponents.

He heard something from behind the door, and sheathed his sword with a grin. “Bring it on,” he muttered to himself, and struck a dramatic, evildoer pose by crossing his arms and arching his head before the door burst open. After all, he was performing for Chronos’ little experiment. He had to be convincing.

[Mr.Man]

Mesfido stepped into the dark, cold room, his eyes racing over any inconsequential details, dark pupils moving restlessly out till finally, they settled on a lone man – Elrick no doubt. The fallen angel’s tongue was on the verge of spewing out a thousand threats and insults when, all of a sudden a strange sensation took hold of his body. He felt his immune system activating, searching out any foreign cells and bacteria. His concentration flickered to the world within himself. His white blood cells and other defensive bacteria had surrounded something, something unusual and most definitely not a product of his own body’s making.

The strange cells were moving quickly, spreading through his blood stream into every limb of his body. However, they did not seem to be causing him any harm. No, it was quite the opposite. As the foreign cells rush within him, Mesfido could feel his own natural strength growing. His muscles were expanding and his sight sharpening, as were his other senses. He felt his immune system readying an assault on the foreign substance, acting quickly he made them hold back, with no less effort than he would use to tense a muscle. That was the ease with which he could manipulate his body. The new bacteria could be of use he decided. With the internal battle settled, Mesfido returned his attention to the task at hand.

Mesfido’s cobalt eyes stared mercilessly at Elrick; a s****** twisted the bloodmaster’s face. “It’s so nice of you to join me, Mesfido.” Elrick’s arms were crossed, his blade strapped to his back.

“Now isn’t the time to be exchanging pleasantries,” Mesfido’s voice was full of venom, never before had it sounded was harsh, so unforgiving. “Where’s Jaina, you pond scum?”

“Now, now Mesfido, no need for insults. They aren’t becoming of an angel.” Elrick unfolded his arms, turning his palms up to the air. “Can’t we settle this like gentleman?”

The fallen angel’s hand strayed dangerously close Verax’s handle. His patience was not to be tested in his in his current mindset. “Gentleman don’t kidnap innocent woman.”

“Kidnap is such a strong word. I think the term ‘borrowed’ might be a bit more appropriate.” Elrick was toying with Mesfido, there was no doubt about it.

“In that case, I’ll give you one chance to return what you’ve taken.”

“I can’t do that just yet.” Elrick rose his hand to his blade, knowing exactly what would come next.

“Then, you give me no other choice.” Verax exploded forth from its sheath. Mesfido moved faster than ever before, empowered by the Activation Serum that was running through his veins. Sparks showered the pair of warriors as the Sword of the Pact collided with the Bloodsword. The fallen angel and bloodmaster leapt apart, weapons held ready for the next move.

OoC: Sorry for the poor quality post, I've been lacking inspiration lately.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo looked at Hayden and Lhaeo, smiling at the two as he readied himself to explain. The Aura Master closed his eyes to find out who the third person was that had entered, and learned it was Nikudemon, but he seemed to be elsewhere, somehow. Powers were keeping him away. Something unfinished mayhap. Well, these two would do fine for now, and the Aura Master knew this, and he'd probably need the help. If both Master and Elrick are in there, I'll need to be careful. Even with these two, it will be pretty tough to take them down. Maybe with Mesfido, we can manage.

Zorlo pointed at the door and began to get ready to explain what was going on. The Aura Master didn't know what would happen once they were in there, but he felt it fit to warn these two of the worst case scenario. That was always the smarter move forward knowing one of the foes is very strong. A danger like that would be hard to simply ignore blankly. The fencer began to formulate his ideas into battle plans and things of the such.

"Well, first I'd like to thank you two for coming and am greatly-"

"Zorlo, just skip that part and tells us why you called us here," Lhaeo stated with a smile, and Zorlo nodded, smiling back.

"Well, first, I'm Zorlo, the Fencer of Tasogare and Aura Master, and you are miss?" the fencer asked with a smile.

"Uh... Hayden," the sprite replied, seeming nervous.

"You have nothing to fear from me. I'm not going to harm you. I wish to merely ask your help." The woman nodded nervously as the green haired man continued to talk. "Well, I've called you here today because even myself, the powerful assistant I am, and my associate Mesfido, another very powerful assistant of a powerful teacher, are in need of aid. You see, a man named Elrick has kidnapped Mesfido's girlfriend, and he's asked me for help, and that is why I've called you here."

"If this guy is as strong as you say, then I think this should be interesting," the God of Elements replied with a smirk.

"It isn't so much him I'm worried about, it's the person I fear is the mastermind behind this scheme. My Master, Chronos, is a man of science, and I fear this idea may be his doing. Why, I know not. If he's involved, and fights as well, then this battle will be dangerous. Master is probably stronger then the one called Elrick. Anyway, between Mesfido and I, the Blood Master is in trouble."

Zorlo took a deep breath and released a sigh as he looked up and smiled. "I'm heading in. When you two decide if you'll be joining me, please follow, if not, go about your business," the fencer told them as he slipped his hands into his jacket and put on his gauntlets. The green haired man opened the large door and stood at the entrance, watching as the two warriors jumped back and readied to strike. The fencer smiled as he felt something a bit odd.

Seconds ticked away as the two breathed silently, planning out their next attack maybe, but in that time, the fencer felt changes. He felt the aura in him burning and growing more and more forceful, trying to escape from his body. Aside from that, his muscles seemed to feel a bit stronger. Zorlo wasn't at all sure what was going on, but he decided it was probably whatever Chronos had called Mesfido here for. Time to make himself known!

As the two giants moved, the fencer, himself, moved from where he was. In less then a fraction of a second, the green haired figure appeared between the men and raised his hands, blocking both of their massive swords with his gauntlets and smiling as he turned left, causing them both to stumble forwards and jump apart. An interesting thing. Zorlo had moved so fast it had seemed as if he teleported. That would be a good thing to know.

Zorlo's aura exploded around him and danced vigorously in its emerald nature similar to that of flames, but releasing no heat and burning nothing. The fencer looked at Mesfido and spoke, as he often did, in the most calm and kind of tones. "Sorry I'm late."

"Hey, it's the green haired kid with the Z name that I beat. You also were making threats at that Johnny guy's funeral. Who do you think you are getting involved here?"

The Aura Master unzipped his jacket and rested his left hand on the handle of Apollo, ready to strike. "I was invited."

Elrick looked at the angel and then pointed at Zorlo. "You invited the small fry?"

"Zorlo, what took you so long. I got bored waiting and decided to take this guy down myself," Mesfido stated confidently.

"This loud mouthed guy is a lot stronger then he looks. Then again, Elrick," Zorlo said narrowing his eyes as he readied to fight, "I'm much stronger then I was. You fought me while I had to protect two people. This time, it is you who needs protecting. Now then, Mesfido, my friend, how are we to do this? Want to take turns beating our friend here around, or should we fight till one of us can't fight anymore and then have the other take over while the first rests?" the Aura Master asked, half joking, half serious.

[nikuvillain]

It creaked loudly opening ever so slowly, showing the great maze of halls on the other side. It was so different this time then when he last entered the dome. This time he knew he wasn’t weak and that he had a reason to move forward. He didn’t have the same goal in mind like last time and most of all he was going to help a friend of his. The great door begun to close as soon as Nikudemon jumped head first through it. He landed on the stone ground below him, glancing on at the wonderful unknown places called the Dome.

“Wow, it has be a long time since I’ve been here.” the young man said picking himself and sweeping the dust from off his shirt. “Still dusty as ever, right Mary Freedom?”

“You’re a lot sharper then you were Nikudemon,” she replied coming out from back the corner, behind the swordsman. Her hair followed behind her like a snake as it rode along the floor.

“Your hair has grown a lot since that day and you carry with you a dagger and a steel glove,” he said, guessing what she had by just the noise she made by walking. He turned around seeing he was right about her hair and what weapons she carried.

“Hmm… not bad but you-”

“Forgot your little pet that behind the other wall. Demon blood hound if I’m not mistaken. Very rare breed indeed,” he said cutting her off and great smiled. He didn’t have time with small talk so he continued to ask her, “Can you tell me where Zorlo is?”

“Are you looking for another teacher to teach you?”

“Not really. I just need to find him.”

“I can show you where he is. I know where all the teachers are.”

“Sure you do, but who are you?” Nikudemon asked lowering his hand down to his sword. He knew the real Mary and this wasn’t her. He could tell that even in his sleep that this wasn’t her.

“Mary freedom. Don’t you remember?” she asked taking a step closer to Nikudemon.

“Wrong. Demon!” Nikudemon shouted dashing forward with high speed gripping his blade and slashing it at the fake women. She pulled out her dagger, but it was to slow and the swordsman blade sliced clear through her arm.

Blood poured out of the arm and with three more quick and swift attacks Nikudemon cut the body into pieces. He sheathed his sword just as quick walking away from the pool of blood and murder. “I would have taken easy on you, but I’m in a hurry evil soul.”

He turned the corner and watched the hellhound burn to ashes. “Poor thing. You must lose your life because your master died. Demons live a rougher live than us humans.” He said glancing at the dog with sad eyes. “Lab 3, Zorlo said he would be at.”

OoC: Not my best, but it better then nothing. Nikudemon will be going the fight in my next post.