Knockin' on Heaven's Door

There it was. The flash of green. Tsuukai looked back at the church, his cloak flowing in the light breeze behind him. He could hardly believe it was already time, time for him to test his true strength. With a quick check over his equipment, to make sure he was read, The Master of shadows started back as a voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

"hey, you, Purple hair," him. Tsuukai clutched the handle of his blade tightly as the pompous blond haired jerk flew over in his signature style, and over exaggerated movement, "I got a favour to ask ya,"

"What,"

"You goin to the Heaven's right," Kaze said sharply, brushing a piece of hair out of his eyes, and smiling.

"How do you know.."

"I have my ways," He said a cocky smile plastered on his face, "I don't want much, just when ya get there ask around about the books of Enoch, Okay?" Just then Tsuukai knew where he had seen his smug face before, he was a new comer at the dome where Tsuukai taught, in fact if the purple haired warrior was correct, this pompous jackass was actually teaching others. It was him alright, that smile, those over exaggerated movement, it had to be him, Kasaisu.

"Books of Enoch? What are they,"

"Everything,"

"I don't have time to run errands for some pretty boy," With that Tsuukai turned back towards his destination, he was already late, and this boy was hardly helpful.

"Ouch," With a quick movement Kaze was infront of Tsuukai, who now was about ready to run the mage through, "Listen, you do this for me and I'll do you a favour."

"Go die,"

"As fun as that sounds, no." Kaze murmured as Tsuukai shoved him out of his way, "Hey Tsuui, what about I take care of yer students, if I do that then will ya ask around for me,"

"Fine," The Shadow Master figured it was better to agree and get going then waste any more time with that fool, as he expected Kaze was satisfied and flew away as Tsuukai opened the doors to the meeting hall, it looks like almost everyone was there, now it was only a matter of time. The Most important battle in his life was approaching.

Rain watched as the green flash lit up the sky. He was alone, a little way from where the wedding took place. He was still in his tuxedo – no tie, of course – and standing upon a large, stone wall.

The wind picked up as the flash began to die down.

Rain’s hair fluttered before his golden eyes. He had no need to bring armour or anything of the sort along. He never fought while wearing any armour; suits of it would usually bulky and sometimes heavy: why block against an attack when he could just dodge and counterattack in one fluid movement?

The Grim Angel fished around in his back pocket and pulled out his pair of black gloves. He slipped them on swiftly and tightly; the last of the green faded from the sky.

His figure blurred and then disappeared as he shot himself straight toward the person who fired the flare.

It was…regrettably easy, convincing his sister that she could not come along. Rain sighed softly as he approached the fencer, remembering what he had told her.

“It would be too dangerous,” he had told her, “especially for you. I can’t lose you like that, sis.”

“Z!” Rain grinned, raising his hand to the back of his head and scratching as he approached him, “I know where we’re going and all…but how are we going to get there?”

After Zorlo had accepted the gift, Vana had left promptly, taking a piece of cake with her, knowing what was next. Not many people noticed as she left, taking a route that people who may or may not be following her would expect, out of an open window. Being free of the muslin package, the Coquette had felt a lot more like herself, no longer weighed-down by anything other than the thoughts of the battle that shall come. She had scaled the fire-escape of the neighboring building an inn or tavern of some sort before nibbling upon the wedding cake, peering down at the bustling street. She had finished it swiftly, licking her fingers and continuing onward toward where she had arranged for lodgings to be prepared.

The small, comely, and outrageously expensive room was four buildings down the road and across from the place where the wedding had taken place, located in a rather large Inn. The quaint window was opened, the thick antique glass making the light that entered through it seem rippley, creating a small pool of light above the square that the open space allowed entrance. Its thick lavender scent wafted out the window, trying to take the thin lace curtains with it, into the cooling air, the reason it had been forced open. A milk colored hand placed a glass globe filled with dried flowers upon the seal, removing the origin of the overbearing fragrance from the room, yet it still clung heavily to the thick velvet comforter of the bed, and to the royal print wallpaper.

A crimson pool lay at her poised feet, its last lingering touch leaving her skin as the legs lifted to step forward and out of the silk, bright against the burgundy of the hard carpet. The rustling of cotton undergarments being put on filled the silence of the room, followed shortly by a near-metallic rasp as something else was taken from the bag at the foot of the low laying bed, which was emptied finally with a light thud of footwear falling to the ground.

Vana Huine watched herself in the full length mirror, making sure that the undergarments were correctly put on, cinched in the correct places and folded just so, in the traditional manner. It was rare that a Coquette entered war, but when they did so, there were customs to accompany it. First, the armor, or lack of one must follow tradition. With the under-robe, and then the armor, and then an outer robe. Her people were not meant for plate mail, it was far to heavy for their fighting styles, thus usually the armor was simple chain mail, or light armored plating including greaves, making the outfit not in the least bit suffocating. The Sisterhoods did nothing in folly, and Vana would not question the tradition, as it had served her well in the past.

She, however, was unique in a sense. The Lady Huine traveled, far and wide. Across dimensions, times, universes and locations one had not dreamed of, although not of her own accord, wherever her missions took her and the Kitra Mage sent her, was where she went. This uniqueness manifested itself in a robe that seemed to be composed of jet, yet moved like silk. She had acquired it in Gondolin, a city where many people with pointed ears resided, the Noldor she had heard them referenced as, in one of two tongues. It was a confusing place for her, but nonetheless, she had gotten the information she was supposed to have collected. Whereupon wandering the city, waiting to be summoned to home, she had happened upon the most extraordinary of blacksmiths. Many things he made seemed to be made of obsidian, and others had intricate designs in the same black substance, fine armors and glaive blades like one hath ever seen. In exchange for a very rare Orichalcum fan, she commissioned a robe made of this material, which he told her was named Galvorn.

The jet metal gleamed as it wavered in her hold, the thin silk like texture seemed as if it wanted to run through her fingers, like molten steel. Over the under-robe it slid effortlessly, yet it was more difficult to get it folded along the edge in the traditional manner, but Vana managed to get it finished, looking much the part of a member of the Soul Society, the black and white folded in a very similar, but much more intricate manner. She gathered her hair, the perfect spiral strands not unruly in the least bit, she twisted it into a tail at the back of her head, the naturally purple streaks making it appear very like a peppermint stick. She curled this around itself, creating a tight bun, which she stuck in place with dozens of tiny pins.

The sound of shattering glass interrupted the Temptress as she reached over to the nightstand for the first of the white leather sheathes. She turned upon her naked heel, amethyst oculars narrowing into a starburst-surrounded slit, the thick stripes of violet expanding to frame the thin black pupil strikingly. Green light reflected off of them, the woman returning the deadly purple needles to their home upon her wrist as she padded forth to take the slip of paper that wafted toward her in the sphere of aura. For a second, a cold burn surrounded her hand, before it dissolved and the green melted into the air. Looking at the sheet briefly, she placed it upon the counter of the mahogany nightstand, sitting upon the bed to slip the Tabi boots on, experimentally flexing the split toe and then the rest of them on each foot, assuring their fit. Finally, slipping the four sheathes into her sash, Vana jumped out the open window, landing with the sharp crunch of glass and dried scented herbs in the street.

It took only a few moments for Vana to reach the others, smiling emotionless at Zorlo, her perfect primrose lips seeming lackluster as they were without the usual framing of her hair. In her eyes, bloodlust shone in the feral feline eyes, the cat who would finally get to the canary.

Selene exited the church, tears still shimmering in her eyes as she neared Zorlo and the rest of the party. Her sleek, battle armor shimmered almost eerily in the moonlight. Golden crafted metal slunk around her slim body where she previously wore a wedding dress. Specks of diamond dust and white gold shimmered for a pattern of fierce beauty. Her feet glided over the ground in a graceful, fluid motion much like a river over smooth stones.

Her low voice came then. "He's not coming." She nodded towards Zorlo, the green flash still sparkling beyond her dark black pupils. "Let's go. Time to win heaven back to peace," she said, blinking twice. "Zorlo, do you know what to do? Is everyone present?" Personally, Selene didn't know, since the only one she had invited... well... it didn't turn out so well. "I first want to tell you all how much I appreciate what you're doing... especially you, Zorlo."

She turned to look at him. "You didn't have to. But you did decide to come with me. Choosing me. This is going to be such a fight, but I hope you're all fine when we return... I sincerely thank you all." A smile of pureness appeared on her face. "I won't forget it. Now... Zorlo? Let's do this."

Zorlo knew everyone was thinking what Rain had asked. How were they going to get into Heaven? Well, to Zorlo, that was simple. First, though, he had a long speech to give about it. Anyway, he had to get them all pumped about this before they went. Still, that left one problem: exactly who else had a part. The fencer assumed other Archangels had a part in this, as both friend and foes.

"Well, my friends, I told you all why we are off into the courts of Heaven. We're not going there like some people talk about, to lounge and relax and live eternally happy. No, we're heading there for battle. If you're afraid, then you should leave now. Although, given who everyone here is, fear isn't something that should exist. For now, our blades are sharpened and our confidence is tempered. Now then, let us test this power that we have long practiced to use in this big show!"

"That's great and all, Z," Rain said with a smile as he looked at Zorlo, "but how are we going to get there?" he asked again.

Zorlo laughed as he looked at the Grim Angel and then thrust his fist into the sky. "All right, Master, let's go!"

"Of course. You wouldn't have it any way else, would you?" the bodiless voice of Kurenkento answered as a bright light suddenly engulfed them and the group vanished in a flash.

The light faded, and the seven stood upon the marble street beneath them. Before them, an ancient Romanesque city stood in front of the group. The houses seemed empty, but rows upon rows of angelic warriors stood there. Archers stood in the back, and warriors stood in the front, all of them holding their weapons at the ready. Still, with the appearance of these warriors, they couldn't help the fact their legs shook. Fear gripped them. They knew they were no match for the group.

Zachary looked around and then looked at Zorlo, who stood firmly prepared. "I'll handle this," the fencer said in a gentle voice as he walked in front of them all. The angels all shook and faltered. The green haired man lowered his head and then looked up, smiling as always. "Don't worry. I don't plan to kill any of you. I just want you to let us through," he told them.

"W-w-we won't d-d-do that!" an angelic commander said as he stepped forwards, shaking in his boots.

"All right then," the fencer said. "The only ones I'm concerned with are the king and his royal guard in the palace. Everyone else is just a small obstacle. Don't worry. This will be over shortly," the Aura Master said as he opened his palm towards them and a green ball of energy formed in his palm. The ball of energy grew larger until it was the size of a bowling ball and flew over the angelic front line, floating a few feet over them. Without any sign of change, the fencer closed his hand, and the attack took effect.

The green ball expanded slightly, and then collapsed in on itself, causing the orb of green energy to implode, releasing a powerful shock wave from its center. The force of the blast scattered the regulars in a forty meter area about, leaving only cracked ground where they had been. Aside from being hit like that of a blow from a sledge hammer wielded by a giant, none were any worse for the wear.

"Now then," the fencer said as the effects of his mock supernova faded out, "What do you say now." The sound of weapons hitting the ground echoed into the air as the regulars broke rank and opened up a path to the castle.

"What if they try to ambush us?" the ever caution Cadenza asked as the fencer stepped forwards.

"If they do, I hope they know what they're in for. After all, even I'm afraid to fight you," Zorlo said half jokingly as he walked through the army. Quickly, the fencer changed his movement speed to a run, and most of the group fell back. Only Cadenza and Rain kept up on land. Selene flew close behind, Tsuukai and Vana following close behind. Zachary dragging behind.

The group shattered the gate into the courtyard and the front six shattered the front door in different groups. "Let's go," Zorlo said to Rain, having lost Cadenza at some point. "After all, you do seem like the kind of guy that would stay to the end with me," the green haired man said jokingly and the Grim Angel smirked in response.

Zachary, who had been dragging behind terribly, entered into the courtyard and, to his luck, the gates behind and in front of him closed. A figure stood high above him, standing on top of the gate that lead into the castle itself. "Welcome," the green robed angel spoke as he leapt from his perch and floated down. In his right hand, he held a long sword who's tip had been broken off and the blade had cracks and chips. The sword was covered in a golden flame, even though it seemed slightly dull in color. Aside from that, the angel had green wings that emerged from his back, and blonde hair atop his head.

"I am Darien, one of the guardians of the Mountain of Purgation! I am one of the guardian of men from the seduction of the serpent. I am one of the angels that has not been polluted by the Archangel," Darien said as he held up his sword. "And I am here to teach you what your Master has not. My goal is not to kill you, but to protect you."

"Yeah, well, that green haired guy and the short woman that just ran in there said the same thing. Well, I learned their kind of protection doesn't work, so I'm fine, thanks," Zachary said as he drew Mobius. "So, how about we just fight instead and you let me past?" The angel of Purgatory merely smirked. He knew this would be fun.

In theory, she told herself, it was just a city in the clouds. A castle in the clouds. This, being a figure of another belief system, helped the experience quite a lot. These angels, and buildings, and lights weren't contradictions to what you knew, but rather just parts of a different society...

That's right, just parts of another society that happened to be trying to creep up on her in the most subtle way a person with wings the size of a large vulture's can creep up on you. While holding spears.

Blow this for a lark, Cadenza thought, and she parted from Rain and Zorlo like a speeding train zipping onto another track, leading the squadron of angelic guards that had been tailing them away from the rest of the group. The movement had been so quick that the guards hadn't even had time to register the fact that they were being led away--they just pursued this speeding black dot that was a mere flicker in their vision, racing across the clouds.

It wasn't until a wave of dark-colored magic shot out and ripped off an angel's wing that the guards started to second-guess their decision.

"...Should we go back?" one with fair hair and a particularly timid quality to his voice asked. "I think there were two others..."

"...And leave this one loose and unmonitored?" his friend answered. "Are you insane?"

"No...I'm just...attached to my life and would like it to last a little longer, you know?"

His friend was nodding in emphatic agreement when three bigger, stronger, faster angels tore through their group on the trail of the speeding black dot. Looking ahead, this chase seemed to be taking them to the towering fortress that lay on the next bank of yellowish clouds. The first angel smiled, knowing what sort of soldiers and Royal Guards would await them there...

A city sitting in the clouds, it was almost a joke. He highly polished roman-esque structures seemed to be mocking him, it all look so familiar, and yet so foreign. Déjà vu if you will. The rising spirals of buildings was not what he was expecting when he heard he was going to heaven, I guess at that point seeing anything was a surprise, nothing can really prepare you to see heaven itself. Especially not when your plans where to attack it.

The thought of attacking like this made him tingle with excitement, if only a little bit. The power that emanated from the people, and the surroundings were almost unbelievable. The sounds of battle already filled his mind, here he would find the best entertainment, and maybe here he would find what it is he was looking for. The truth.

Tsuukai had figured out quickly why he would invite his to this venture, he was well aware of The Shadow Warriors disposition and love for battle, and Zorlo being Zorlo was compelled to help His rival find battles, while gaining something in return. It was basic human nature, or so that was Tsuukai’s belief of why the green haired warrior would invite his adversary on such an endeavour.

It took only minutes for them to lose the first of them, the boy that had been referred to as Zach suddenly got lost behind, and then minutes later Tsuukai’s eyes caught sight of the Shadow mistress herself darting off to the side as a few followers had given chase. He had figured it was going to be this way, the team would break away piece by piece to fight their own battles, all for some great good or whatever they wanted to call it.

“Stop where you are,” Looking out of the corner of his deep black eyes the Shadow master saw two heavily armed Angelic Guards standing behind them, spears poised to attack, “We can’t let you pass,” They spoke in unison.

Tsuukai looked oddly in contrast to the purely white armour guards, his entirely black costume, and harsh features seemed to bring into view the almost frail looking features of the two guards who stood poised behind the group. “Zorlo, go on ahead. I’ll take care of these guys and catch up, so make sure to save some big fish for me to catch,” The green haired fencer looked back at the his purple haired counter part and nodded, continuing down his path.

“Stop!” The guards called out to the group, which was quickly darting out of distance.

“I think,” The Invader said coolly, his back still turned to the two guards, “You have bigger problems to worry about,” Turning he drew his blade and pointed it forward, “You are facing me, don’t distract yourself with those who are gone, focus on what you have. If you truly wish to stop this invasion of your homeland I can assure you my life should be your first priority, if thou can take it from me,” He was euphoric, these two where naught but an appetizer of what was to come, so they would be the first to devoured.

OoC: I think someone should draw a picture of the Six of them when they first appered in Heaven, with the entire army in front of them. I think that would be totally epic, eh?

OoC: I second Pucky's notion!

BiC:

I know I've been here before...

The sound of footsteps upon stones resonated as the fencer and the Grim Angel moved swiftly toward the center of the city on their way to the very end. A city built on top of the clouds; sounded like something out of a dream. But there they were, making their way through the streets toward the castle of the capital.

As they neared the main entrance, the two heard shouts of the soldiers guarding the castle.

"They are coming!" one was heard shouting.

"The gates! Close the gates!" another cried.

Rain rushed forward towards one of the guards, pulling back his arm, making a motion to punch the angel. In response, the soldier drew his sword and stood firm, holding the blade in front of him. His expression became one of surprise as the Grim Angel slid straight through his legs and kept on moving. The soldier turned to glance at his back before turning back for his eyes to meet the fist of the Aura Master.

"Live for a few seconds longer, I am coming."

Rain skidded to a halt, looking around for the source of the wind and whisper that met his ear.

Zorlo stopped and looked at him.

Another angel dressed completely in black landed before the two. He wielded a massive black scythe which was adorned with the carvings of small bones and skulls.

"Z..." Rain glared at the newcomer, his eyes shifting from bright gold to dark purple, "Go on ahead, I'll have to handle this."

"I trust you can handle this." the fencer grinned as he nodded, turning to move on again.

A thick mist appeared from Rain's palm, his staff slowly revealing itself.

"Azrael, Angel of Death. Have you come to claim my soul at last?" Rain grinned, literally looking death in the eyes as he drew his both swords, "Here's Death whispering in my ear. 'Live!' says he, 'for I am coming'."

OoC: I third!

BiC: Selene raced to the skies, soaring along the wind currents as if she had flown them yesterday. She kept her eyes scanning constantly, but no one seemed to dare to interfere with her. Many angels, some of whom she recognized in some past dreams of her childhood, stared at her figure in the air, but none said anything. Strange... hard to believe she was so welcome all of a sudden.

They would have recognized me by now… especially with my wings in full view… why aren’t they attacking or at least meeting me? the female questioned as she continued her flight, circling the fortress where her father dwelt to get a good idea of how to base her attack.

It was then she felt a rush of wind and a stinging sensation against her pale skin.

Her hand flew to her smooth cheek, blood trickling down from the gash. Where had it come from? She heard a beating of wings from somewhere nearby, more powerful than a female. Too powerful for a normal male. The color began to drain from her normally-rosy face.

“Hello, Selene.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “No…”

“Yes.” The beating of the wings slowed as a figure came into view. His face was as cold and hard as the king’s, wheat-colored hair about his face and paler skin than snow, glowing with a heavenly light about him. “They may be under the influence of the king, dear Selene, but I am not. I am one of the few, and I am not going to let you ruin what it’s done for me.”

“Done for you?” Selene felt anger bubble up inside her. “What are you talking about?”

“Why, your kingdom. See, with William in the way, I could never move up. He always was a goody goody. But now that he’s busy playing the king’s fool general of the army, he’s much too busy to keep an eye on little old angels like me. So I’m free to do whatever I want whenever I want. I’ve been preparing for my take over, but if you remove your father’s reign, you’ll ruin everything I’ve planned. I’m afraid I just can’t have that happening, my little red demon.”

Selene clenched her fists, sparkles of fire popping around them and waving in the wind. “You think I’m going to get scared and run away? Well I don’t care whether Will is here or not! You can’t do this. I won’t let you.”

“Fight me, then, little princess. Let us see how well you have progressed since childhood.” He fitted an arrow to his bow, aiming towards her chest. “I’d start now if I were you.”

OOC: I fourth that! Oh, and sorry about the lack of quality in this post, I did not start it out good, so I could not really get into my signature writing style with the pretty details... But the next one will be brilliant, I assure you.

The group was splitting apart, splintering almost. Individuals peeling off in separate directions similar to the petals of a dying flower being ripped from the hub by the eternal wind. Vana honestly did not believe that this was the best approach. Although she trusted in the powers of everyone else, they looked like a battle hardy enough bunch, they were in a nearly completely foreign place, with vast armies of people against them, and probably others with powers that rivaled or even bettered those of Zorolo. It was really not the best place to go adventuring alone, and her feline instinct told her so. But alas, the Coquette was essentially alone, something that she was quite used to by this time. She knew that of all the people in the world, she could rely upon herself the most. Hopefully the others were not foolish enough to get themselves killed.

The clouds that covered the ground upon which she stepped seemed to be impenetrable even to her keen violet oculars, revealing not what she walked upon, having left the road some time ago in hopes of being less notable by the flocks of beings in the sky. She knew not what she was looking for, but she was inexplicably drawn in this direction, toward the back of the castle, the opposite direction that the others were attacking from. She could slip inside and assist the others from the direction their enemies in this place expected to be attacked from. There had to be a gate hidden here, a door of some sort.

Her lithe ivory hand ran across the strange material that the castle wall was composed of, it somehow whiter than even her cream skin, her nails stood out against it as if they were the brightest and pinkest sakura blossoms. She was searching for a seam, a section that pushed in, something to reveal the hidden entrance that her feral instincts told her was there.

A sharp whistle sounded behind her, identified immediately as the head of an arrow to her ears. She spun to the side, the meeting of mythril and whatever the wall was made of (obviously something harder) clinking loudly. Behind her, roughly twenty Angelic Guards had gathered, many of them with their bows cocked at her. Seeing that she had dodged the arrow which had been intended to end this as soon as possible had been evaded, they now released the rest of the arrows.

A metallic scrapping and sharp snap resounded through the clear air of what her companions had called Heaven, far different than the sound of the Angels’ arrows, followed by the hollow ping and the thick thunk as aforementioned arrows were either cut to pieces or deflected by the weapons she now held.

The keen edges of the fan glinted bloodthirstily in the strange lighting of the cloud covered place, the light sliding up the arched blades that composed it to the steady hand of a born killer. That hand moved a few fingers in a lightening motion, and coupled with the snap of the delicate looking wrist, the metal slates slide back together noisily, forming what looked exactly like a scythe with a vastly shortened handle.

The Temptress smiled dangerously, as the Angels reloaded their bows swiftly, but it would still be too slowly.

The massive doors of the castle swung open and the fencer entered. The door creaked closed behind the green haired man as he looked upon the sitting king of the Angels, who merely smiled as he looked upon the Aura Master. The man's short, blonde hair sat silently upon his head as he rose from his massive throne, ever compensating for something if the fencer had ever seen so. Still, that aside, Zorlo looked at the man and smiled.

"Long has it been since someone has been so brash as to bear arms before me. Even the nobler angels do not bring their blades into this room," the king spoke, his voice echoing through the empty throne room, as he rested his cheek upon his hand, "and even longer has it been since someone has been so foolish as to overthrow me. Young warrior, what brings you here?" the king asked, smiling slightly.

"I could speak only of justice and honor and greatness upon your words, but I shall keep this brief. I come to free your people of your oppression so they may be free of your tyranny and she whom I love shall be acquitted of her falsified charges. It has been elected: you shall vanish, and there is not that you can do!" Zorlo said as his aura flared out around him, causing the ground of the room to shake mildly.

"How dare you bring such false charges before the purest of beings?! In God's name I-" the king began but found himself cut off by the fencer.

"Your God is long dead. The being that created you decided long, long ago that you should have the same rights as all other beings. The Archangels fake this lack of freedom on their "God's" name. In fact, they killed him. Using the Sword of Eden, the same sword which disarmed the God of Auras before he was slain by "God" and other gods, of the fallen Angel of Death Uriah; the Archangels killed your creator and usurped his name to justify their actions. They are as evil as you are, if not worse."

"So, you know," the king spoke, fully aware of this. "That I've known long since I've been king. Amongst themselves, the Archangels speak freely of this. Like any gods, they are corruptible. As am I," the king spoke as he stood up, his body falling forwards slightly, seeming limp. "You... Aura Master... your people threaten the way things are. You must vanish."

"You lie," the Aura Master spoke as he drew Apollo and smiled. "Time for a lesson. The Creator, who created all existence and the divine exists separate of existence with the Enlightened. Those who have moved past worldly suffering, no matter what race, dimension or world they are from, wind up there. From there exists the the Universal Life Stream, from which all beings are descended from. A stream of souls where all souls in existence are moved throughout everything that is. Even the divine die, and their souls are then purified by the Universal Life Stream. You'll return not but a mortal, but you can't prevent that. Ages of grief will end with but the stroke of a sword," Zorlo stated as he lowered his sword.

"I know this, but think again. You'll realize how wrong that truly is."

Zorlo blinked once and his eye twitched. "Why are Darien and Azrael here? What business have they?"

The king laughed. "I know not. Their business is not my business. So, shall we begin?" the king asked as he drew his sword and the two dashed forwards, light following the king and aura trailing the fencer.

o=)-----------The Courtyard-----------(=o

Mobius flashed from its sheathe and clashed with the flaming sword the green angel held. A flourish of ice magic and golden flames scattered from where they met as the angel, with one hand, pushed the red haired boy's blade back and slashed high. Zachary held his blade tightly as he slashed his sword and knocked Darien's away, leaping up and swinging his sword down, only to meet the angel of Purgatory's blade again. With amazing strength, the green winged angel pushed Zachary into a nearby wall with the shear force of the deflected sword.

"Forgive me," the Purgatory Angel spoke as he took a step closer, "long now has it been since I've slain naught more than those who invade the Mountain of Purification. I have now come from that place because, aside from the green man, I am the only one who knows the truth of the Archangel. At first, God, who had been created by the Creator, created them. The twelve Archangels worked with God, and some of us, those who were seen as less pure due to our green wings, were sent to Purgatory to watch over the souls of the impure righteous. Over time, however, the Archangels became less and less pure, becoming closer than to the demons that once roamed our lands."

The angel sighed as he looked at his sword. "We who were on the mountain of Purgation recall all too well. We were kept away from the sin and corruption of the others. While they became fat and evil and sinful, we remained only for our goal. And then, they destroyed him. They killed our God. Once this was done, one of ours stole the Sword of Eden and stashed it in Limbo, where it remained. Now, that sword is lost, as was its last wielder. Still, I am saddened by this. You now know of this place, so what will you do."

The firebrand used his sword to push himself to his feet slowly. The red haired warrior drew his blade from the ground and took it in his hands. "I don't care about politics of this place. I'm only here to help Zorlo. When he kills that king, life'll go on as if nothing else happened. People will only recall the victors of this battle, so letting you stand in my way is kinda counterproductive to that point. SO get the **** out of my way!" Zachary yelled as he rushed forwards. The flourish of his sword against the blade of the angel's actually pushed Darien back a step.

The ice innate leapt backwards and swung his hand across himself twice, launching two volleys of ice spikes at the angel, who merely swung his sword to evaporate them. "Well then, I'll enjoy this," the angel of Purgatory said with a smile on his face.

The angelic soldiers glided in on a thermal, death as their copilot...

Gee, that sounds like a song lyric. Anyway, let's see these boys keep up with something faster than a heavenly dove, or whatever the hell they have here.

By great leaps and bounds, almost never trusting her feet to the clouds below for an instant, Cadenza was leading this squadron to the towering white fortress in the distance in the sort of fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants way that was all she knew. Even if she was wandering along what was technically the ground, she too, felt like she was soaring with her speed. Perfect, wispy clouds were torn ruthlessly apart in her wake. The fortress loomed ever closer.

In the space of a few breaths, she'd reached the high, marble doors of the building whose towers reached away into the dazzling sunlight, finding them to be guarded by two stoic-faced angels with swords and pikes.

"Hullo boys, nice day, isn't it?"

The two angels exchanged glances, took firmer grips on their weapons. They'd never seen a lady this dark-skinned or this darkly-enchanting before, but something about the large rush of soldiers trailing behind her told them they should be on their toes.

"Those are some mighty big pikes you got there..." she continued, giving them a bright, winning smile.

The angels gulped. Something told them they'd regret having those pikes.

When the squadron of angel soldiers reached the doors of the fortress some minutes later, they found two of their comrades shish-kebabbed by a spear and stuck into the white stone wall. Blood was dripping from their mouths.

"I'd suggest smaller spears," they heard from a window. "Wouldn't fit two guards on the same one, and it'd make my work harder for me!"

The group glanced up to see another limp-bodied guard tossed from the window. Swords clenched in their hands, a few prayed quietly for mercy as they all entered the stone fortress. At least half the Royal Guards are in there training, was the thought going through the crowd, there's no way whoever this is can fight us all.

Kinir's eyes sparked with arrogance and knowledge of battle, his arrows flying exceptionally fast for an angel not specifically trained in archery. His movements were flawless, his calculations precise. His arrows were unlimited. They flew on the winds as if they themselves had wings, a bitter, childish hate accompanything them, pushing them onwards. He flew as well as his arrows did, dodging every obstacle, zipping in and out of the scenery and buildings that surrounded them as simply as if they were mere dust specks to be waved away. It was clear by any angel that saw the spectacle above them, this rogue was good. Despite all this though, there was one slight problem.

Selene was better.

While Kinir was as swift as the wind, Selene was one with it. Where his arrows missed by inches, she struck accurately. Her training and work with Zorlo, her growth and confidence in herself definetely showed promise. The two struggled with one another, the princess keeping her distance from her rival, yet forcing herself for an attack. She had no choice but to go close-range. They tumbled through the air, heading for the castle gardens. Selene knew them like the back of her hand, and used these gorgeous formations of foilage for her own success, zipping into the maze. At first, things seemed as she knew they should be, every turn leading her further in, but suddenly, after the second left, she slid to a stop. No path... there was no path. The maze had closed her in! But how?

"Things have changed, Selene."

She turned in an angry whirl to face him, his tanned hand brushing a few of his blonde locks back. "You're right. And I'm here to change them again. This time for the better."

He tsked her as he waved a finger back and forth, a coy smile on his face. "So you think. Do you really, honestly believe your pitiful fencer can defeat your father? You know him, both of them. Tell me, which do you believe will win? Your friends are all fighting for a lost cause."

"So says a piece of the lost cause."

He narrowed his eyes. "You think you can defeat us that easily?" A large, rather familiar-looking sword graced his hands as he pulled it from his robes.

"Us?" Selene's eyes slightly widened.

"Who do you think enlightened your father about Will? And Billie? And even you?"

"You... you did all that?!" Selene's fists began to tremble, the clouds beneath her parting slightly with a quake of her heavenly energy beginning to rumble heaven itself.

"YES, you finally realize everything was a frame. You knew it all along, but never who or why. Well now you know. I did it all, and only because you always thought you were the perfect angel. You and your demonic brainwashing. Skipping around and acting so holy. I sent you to earth and I'll do it again! And this time I'll make sure you won't come back!" A vortex of holy energy shot from the sword, crashing into the angel at a speed she could not combat.

She screamed, partially in shock, and partially in anger as she flew backwards in the beam's clutches, finally landing outside of the gardens, sliding along the ground until she managed to climb to her feet. "I... won't let you do this."

"Look familiar?" he growled through clenched teeth, landing in front of her. "It should."

Selene took a moment to look about. Things were strange. No people. Not one. No houses, no clouds, just... blankness. A kind of empty, hopeless section of heaven? She tried to take a step back, but found herself falling backwards. She thrust her hands out, and found herself stopped by Kinir's hand on the hook of her chest portion of battle armor.

"You remember the hole, don't you, Selene?"

The angel's eyes widened as she struggled to look behind her.

"I'm sure in time you'll be found. But by the time you are, you'll wish you hadn't been. Goodbye..." He began to let his fingers slip. "You always were a pushover." He gave her a slight, rough, thrust forward, only to give a cry himself.

Selene pulled him in, leaning back with him to draw both of them back into the punishment for angels known as the hole. "Not anymore."

"Run, run, run."

The angel turned his massive scythe around. The air around him seemed to obey his weapon's calling. The dust twisted and swirled around him, sometimes forming miniature tornadoes that were strong enough to rip blocks of stone from the streets and walls. Rain noticed something odd about them the first few times that Azrael brought them out. When the tornadoes were filled with dust and stone and couldn't take anymore, they vanished, halting instantly.

"Hide, hide, hide." Azrael began spinning the scythe faster and faster, kicking up dust all around him. The air had visible ripples that flowed outward, resonating from his weapon. He let it go with a grunt, making it fly through the air, revolving like a propeller. As it neared objects, it sucked them in just before smashing them with its blade. Like this, it was easily able to go through thick walls and utterly destroy Rain's hiding places.

The scythe returned to him like a well made, trusty boomerang. He opened his hand and caught it, seemingly losing his focus on his target to place it on the weapon.

Rain rushed in head-first, holding both blades inversely. But even with his acceleration, Azrael was able to fend him off. Death's Angel had merely waved his other hand over the ground, motioning toward his attacker.

The Grim Angel was barely able to dodge the invisible force that had ripped through the ground and almost severed his right arm.

No blood seeped out of the wound. Rain glanced at it; the cut was deep, but it just looked like an opening in his skin. It was extremely painful, too. The injury burned like no other he had received, and the sense lower down from the cut seemed to numb.

I've seen that before... the events of the previous seconds that had passed replayed continuously in his mind, I've used that before...

Another one shot at him, but Rain was able to read and dodge it without much difficulty.

He's using...vacuums?

It was Azrael's fault. He let his attacks be read by one who would easily be able to use it against him.

"I hope you dodge this. Because I haven't the faintest idea of how to control it!"

Literally.

A thin vacuum ripped through the ground at full speed, heading straight towards the Angel of Death. Azrael moved to dodge it, but he was unable to account for its speed. His scythe took the full blow and shattered before his very eyes. In this moment of vulnerability, Rain rushed at him, ready to put the angel out of his misery.

"Rain Seraph, look at me!" Azrael's voice loudly commanded. His eyes seemingly caught on fire as Rain looked into them. The Grim Angel froze on the spot as he was pulled into a black world where only he and Azrael's burning eyes existed.

"You move to strike me with killing intent, I can use that against you."

Rain's body moved on its own, his mind was almost blank. His only thought was how hard his own sword was being pressed into his neck. He felt it begin to cut. Blood ran down his sword and seeped between his fingers.

If I ever get out of this... Rain found it hard to look into Azrael's burning eyes, but he endured the pain he was receiving and glared straight into them, feeling as if his own eyes were on fire. He glared so much, it seemed like hours. The sword was still cutting its way through his neck, slowly sawing away, millimeter by millimeter.

Suddenly, he saw Azrael's body come into full view. They were sucked back into the real world. The Death Angel closed his eyes and looked away as if he had just received a hard punch to the cheek. Rain stumbled forward, quickly removing the sword from the wound in his own neck and grasping it with his other hand, coughing.

"Where did you learn that?!" Azrael gritted his teeth, glaring at Rain. The Grim Angel couldn't answer, he was coughing too much to pay attention.

"...I shall have to end your life with my own hands," the Death Angel continued, pulling two brilliantly bright swords out of mid-air, each significantly longer and a little wider than Rain's Night. In the sunlight, one of the swords looked a brilliant white. The other looked the same until the angel brought it down to his side, into his shadow. The shadow cast on it made it look blacker than the darkest night.

"Ask ten men the colours of these swords as they fly through battle, and you will hear ten different answers."

Azrael took a step forward, the swords flashing wildly as he moved.

"Las Espadas del Prisma."

Light glimmered off of their blades, the only sounds that filled the air where the heavy breaths of the angelic guards. Like lightning the two took off, their pure white wings closed in to increase their speed. Their target was a simple man who store forward with eyes as black as death, his gaze looking past the two that came his way. Suddenly, the man leaped into the air, his black cloak looking like the devils wings to mirror his opponent. His foot came down like a hammer, slamming into the first of the twin guards, the second slashed at the assailant but he hit nothing but air. The black cloaked man pushed off of the firsts face leaping over the shimmering blade of the second, in a move that could only be called poetry in motion the attacker spun around in mid air, kicking the second with the force of a train breaking his neck instantly, then used his other foot to push off the dead mans chest into a back flip before the angle had time to fall, the purple haired man landed behind the first who was just getting back to his feet, with a swift motion he kicked the man down to his knees and then preformed one last kick, snapping the man's neck swiftly.

Tsuukai sighed in aggravation, "Without even drawing my blade...I pray this is not all this place has to offer,"

"Who exactly are you praying too Adam?" Tsuukai turned to the voice but saw nothing but air ground and sky, "To God? I hope not, you are far to strong top preform in such simplistic and idiotic rituals. Isn't that right Adam,"

"I think you are mistaking me for someone else," tsuukai called upwards, not sure where else to look.

"Don't look up Adam, I am right here," Turning swiftly tsuukai grabbed for his blade, but was so struck by what he saw he did not draw it. What was before him was like nothing he had ever seen, the "Man' if you could call it such was like a giant, clearly over ten feet tall. His skin was pale as the snow, and his clothes as white as a cloud, adorned on his back where eight wings that shown brighter then any sun, Tsuukai could not even look at them for more then a second before having to shield his eyes. His face was a picture of perfection, everything in perfect order, except for two wings that seemed to sprout from his head had covered his eyes, however the light his eyes emitted was bright enough that you could still tell where he was looking. The man wore no shoes, but two final wings had grown out of his ankles and covered his feet. On his waist two swords where placed, one was long, at least six feet in length, the other was shorter and had a diamond encrusted Sheath.

"What...are you,"

"Why don't you go and guess,"

"An Archangel?"

"Ohohohoho," He smirked, "You are a bright one aren't you. Yes I am, very clever of you too guess, my Name is Gabriel, Ruler of the First level of heaven."

"G...Gabriel?...You can't possible be..." Tsuukai Stuttered now truly realizing what exactly was in front of him. Zavari, it was in fact him the pendragon of the Archangles, jehovas right hand, and the ruler of heaven, hardly a title to scoff at.

"Ahahahaha, you humans are so funny. You barge into my house swords drawn blood in your eyes and you are surprised when I come to see who had entered. Don't worry...Tsuukai was it? I am not going to kill you or your friends. I just came to see humans in action, they are remarkable creatures you know, so confident in their own abilities...like that friend of yours Zorlo,"

"He is no friend of mine," tsuukai replied harshly, as his mind desperately tried to figure out what exactly was happening, it all made no sense.

"Of course not, ohohohoh. But yes, Zorlo, as I was saying. He thinks so highly of himself, I can see the arrogance in his eyes, but in reality he is nothing more than a gnat, have you ever seen a gnat? well they are annoying creature, they buzz around you doing little more then bugging you, sure you could take the effort to squish it, but in reality it's pointless, for they are not even worth the trouble. That is how i see people like him, the arrogant ones,"

"What are you talking about, you aren't making much sense," tsuukai scoffed, "If you are here," he said Drawing his blade, "Then surly you must want a fight,"

"That's just like you isn't it. You are not like the other humans, when you kill somebody you don't try to justify it. Other will say they are doing good by killing off evil, other say they are justice destroying the unjust, but not you. When you kill you do it because it makes you feel good, you don't try to justify it with "Good" and 'Evil" for you know anyone who lives by those codes are corrupted. Good and evil are simply a matter of perspective, from my point of view those invading my home would seen 'Evil" yet from your friends they are doing 'Good" oh ho foolish to think anyone can do Good. Because your "Good" is always evil to someone. It is almost like watching a comedy, yes that is how i see your world."

"You really like to talk don't you,"

"You couldn't imagine how boring it is up here, no one ever talks to me, they are all to afraid," The man suddenly jumped spaces, before he was at least fifty feet away and then suddenly he was right in tsuukai's face, his feather covered eye next to tsuukai's pitch black one, "Are you afraid of death?"

"Why fear what can't be helped,"

Suddenly, the man was back to his original distance away, clapping his hands pleasantly at Tsuukai's response, "That's why I like you, so cold. Being next to you is like walking through the arctic...'cept...The arctic has never smelt so strong of blood...Just how many people have you killed anyway?"

"One thousand six hundred and sixty seven,"

"Must be tough...that many souls haunting your dreams, of course that is if you ever dreamed,"

"Enough of this," tsuukai said pointing his blade at the man, "Your talking is getting on my nerve, What do you want from me,"

Then the mood changed, it was like the weight of the world was suddenly thrust onto Tsuukai's shoulders, "You would dare order me," The weight lifted, "You sure have guts. Fine. I offer you a proposition,"

"What does the lord of the Heavens possible need from me,"

"You see," Gabriel said with a smirk, "Th rest of the Archangels don't trust me, can't I don't blame them, I am a tad untrustworthy as it where, but as so my movements are limited to the heavens, but i find myself needing a correspondent on earth, if you do what I say I can grant you what you want,"

"What do you.." There it was, that sword, the one that has been haunting him for so long. The six foot long key, the final blade, the shinning blade he had been looking for. Lævateinn.

"Well, do we have a deal?"

"Deal,"

OoC: BLAAAAAH! FINALY! IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO WRITE THIS!...

Seriously I hope it doesn't suck -_-'

Also, I am working on a mini-bio for Lævateinn, it should be up tomorrow toa wnser and questions you might have(Assuming someone actually cares))

Edit:

Name: Lævateinn

Alias:Wounding Wand, Staff of Destruction

Age: Older then you, that's for sure.

Race:Semi-Sentient sword.

Sex: Swords don't have reproductive organs =3

Hair: N/A

Eyes: N/A

Weight: 120 lbs

Height: 6 Feet.

Weapon: -_-'

Armor: -_-'

Strengths: The blades main skills is it's ability to take on many different shapes, meaning it can transform into nearly any weapon. Of course there are conditions that have to be followed in order to change the weapons appearance. The three conditions that must be met are as follows: It must transform into a weapon, secondly: the weapons must be a bladed weapons, and finally: the weapons blade must be long enough to fit the inscription "Ut tunc iuguolo," in the same characters in the swords original form. This all meaning it could turn into a weapon like and Axe, but not knumchucks, or a rapier, it should be noted that the sword weight never changes.

Weakness:...

Skills/Magic: If a mortal picks of Lævateinn and expects it to act as a normal blade of steal they are in for a rude awakening. The great blade has not equal, and is destined to bring about the Ragnarok. That is of course one can bring about the true power of the blade, now Tsuukai has only scratched the surface of this mighty blades powers, and this is it. The powers that Tsuukai has unlocked.

Morph: Seen above.

Anti-God: The sword itself is so powerful that currently it is the only weapon in existence that can kill an immortal. Thus it is an anti-God weapon. however in order to access the Anti-God powers Tsuukai must first recognize that the person is indeed immortal, and then he must injury the person to a point in which a regular a regular human would die. At that point the inscription on the blade glows red, and the wielder must plunge the blade through the immortals heart, he only has one chance, if he misses then that being is immune to the Anti-God effect for a year.

The Flames of Fyery: The sword can burst into flames five times a day, for 2 seconds each time. The flames burn at over 5000 Degrees Celsius, and can burn through almost anything. Needless to say the blades flame cannot hurt, or burn Tsuukai or his clothes.

Not for your Hands: One of my favourite things about this sword is that not anyone can touch it, if anyone who does not have the right to touch it, does, then a shock waves blasts out sending the villain flying outwards...yes this does include when someone is cut by the blade. Also Tsuukai is able to send out a shock wave around him by slamming the blade into the ground, sending anyone within a ten foot Radius flying backwards.

There are but some of the blades powers, though there are many more these are the only ones Tsuukai has access to...For now.

Appearance: Though the blade can take many different forms, it must turn back to it's original form before turning into another form, so I felt it needed to describe the original form. The blade is made from the rare metal Orichalcum, and is unbreakable and shinning silver in colour. This double sided blade is one inch across, and made in a Jian style blade. Along on side of the blade is the inscription, "Ut tunc iuguolo," which translates to "When, and then to cut the throat". The swords blade is five feet long, and the handle is a foot long. Other then that the sword's original form is not anything special, in looks that is.

Personality: You know those swords that Shinigami have...Well this sword is nothing like that. Jeeze what do you take me for. The sword is not completely sentient, so it doesn't really have an opinion on global affairs, or the sinking economy. It does however know it exists, and it knows who is wielding it. It also can disobey a command given enough reason to, though this is unlikely cause it is not completely aware.

Biography: If you have been paying attention to Tsuukai's story at all then you know that the sword Lævateinn is the third key to enter the Eternal Tower. That is incorrect in a sense, the third key's name is Hævateinn, the sword of entrapment used to bound two immortal souls into physical chambers(The Emerald Tsuukai owns, and the Silver cross maria wears respectively) is to be used along with the two chambers in order to open the door to the Tower of Babel. However at some point the sword's appearance and name changed, and soon there after the sword came into the possession of the Archangel Gabriel, despite the Archangel already holding one of the legendary weapons. How the sword changed, and how it came into the possession of Gabriel are unknown.

Hævateinn was forged by the Volund and was a blade so powerful that it threatened the very existence of the god themselves. Fearing for their existence they sent the Former Archangel Ti'rulth to retrieve the sword, and in doing so he used the very sword Volund created to trap him in an inescable relem. This was the first of the legendary weapons to be retrived by the archangels.

When the Archdemon Diablos broke into the Tower of bable and stole some of the power hidden there the Archangels once again sent Ti;rulth to fight Diablo. Atop the Tower of bable the two fought, with Ti'Rulth coming victorious using the blade Hævateinn to entrapt Diablos inside the emerald. That is the last heard record of Hævateinn, it is rumored that it was later used to entrap Ti'Rulth, but those are just rumors. years later Gabriel had the newly formed Lævateinn, and the rest as they say, is history.

OOC: The poor quality of hits post makes me want to cry.. Sorry. I should have spent more time on it... But, I wanted to get it done.

BIC:

The clouds which gathered around the ankles of black shod lithe feet put out tendrils which crept upward and around the calf attached, dissolving as they strained themselves upward, the wisps of white becoming more and more see through, until they no longer existed. The left foot inched forward a bit, the split toe of the shoe curling somewhat as more traction was sought, the thin layer of mist upon the ground becoming disrupted with the movement. The omnipresent mist settled, resuming its creeping death upward, obscuring whatever it was underneath, probably the same white marble of the road, but to the Coquette, it did not feel as solid.

She flipped backward, carefully folded garments hardly rustling in the resistance of the wind, the tough sole of the right boot meeting the strange material of the wall behind her. Her knee bent, lean muscles in her calves and thighs bunching tightly, the Galvorn of leggings of her clothing pulling tight, shining truly like metal at such an angle. Her leg rocketed out, shooting her swiftly through the air, the velocity undoing the tight bun atop her head, the lilac and gold tresses escaping and flowing out behind her.

The brutal ringing of metal against metal sparked to life, followed by the sound of one body impacting another. She flew through the ranks of the soldier’s a black arrows of pestilence, fan opened, reaping a thick row of the pristine beings before snapping shut.

The sharp blades of the fans sliced through this archer’s hands, her thigh gripping his sides tightly. She gouged the sickle like blades through his throat, down deep into the cavity of his chest, blood gushing and squirting from the massive wound, creating elegant patterns over her delicate white skin and immaculate clothing.

The others turned their attention to her new position, their bows snapping with release, arrows screaming with freedom. Her crystalline purple irises detracted, adrenaline coursing through her primal-based system, her lips becoming ajar, breathe quickened. Holding tight to the handle of her weapon, she stood against the barely alive soldier, his wings still beating, but increasingly slower were the beats. With a wet sickly scrape, she slid the metal from him, kicking him down, his comrade’s arrows sinking into him with hefty thuds, and pushing herself up and over, toward the next victim.

She landed upon this one’s shoulders, in the same motion, hacking into its stomach and ripping upward, rending the mail upward, blood trickling to stain the clouds underneath, entrails sluggishly sliding from the newly opened cavity, their greens, browns, and reds the only semblance of the color in the place. This one began to drop much faster, for some reason. It was instinct alone, the large fan snapping open a bare moment to shield the woman from arrows flying from behind her, riding the corpse to the ground, the impact signaled with the harsh crunch of the man’s bones under her weight. She rolled forward, through the entrails of the dead, springing forward into a standing position, back toward the angels.

The thin ring of amethyst around the sea of black expanded, the classic starburst of the Coquette appearing in its field, slashes of royal mauve. Her softly rounded chin rested upon her shoulder, peering back in the few moments afforded to her, as they had to reload. Her lips became a hard line of determination.

Vana spun forcefully, the open fan whistling as it sliced through the air, held afore her, the strong feline muscles of her arms flexing powerfully within the large sleeves of her battle robe. She let it fly, a whirring disc of death, arching through the mass of enemies. Yet, their arrows still rained down upon her. From another of the four white leather sheathes, she drew a much smaller fan. Unopened, it was as a rod of silver, slender and long. Yet it rasped open with barely a sound, the thin slates creating a fan with no gaps, as if it were a solid piece of metal.

She wheeled to the side, smacking three arrows out of her way, the sharp pings resonating throughout her being. She padded backward, striking up and to the right, protecting her head, and her shoulder. She struck out with her needles, felling more betwixt her graceful maneuvering. Her Sickle Fan returned to her, blood spraying from it in all directions. She caught it, only to send it out once again.

It was only a matter of moments, before the last two blossomed purple needles somewhere on their body, falling lifelessly to the ground. Only problem, it seemed as if she was out of the purple variety of her deadly projectiles…

“That is what I get for being lazy…” she muttered to herself, pacing over to the wall where she had previously been, treading uncaringly over the bodies of the fallen. Only a few moments, and the hidden catch was tripped. She walked nonchalantly, through the discovered port, fanning herself with the immense weapon dedicated to reaping.

OoC: S'okay. ^_^ And this begins again. Sorry for the wait everyone. ^_^

BiC: Heaven shook. The lowest level of Heaven shook as if the very cloud-like landscape it was placed on threatened to be torn apart by something akin to an earthquake. Masses of power radiated throughout the entire palace, the epicenter of the disturbance, and even the bravest of angels in the outskirts of the lowest kingdom watched in awe. Something was definitely occurring in the castle walls.

o=)---------- ---------(=o

The blazing sword clashed several times against the blade of the ice innate, pushing the young warrior back with each block. The Purgation Angel moved faster than the eye could see. Possibly as fast, if not faster, than Zachary had seen Zorlo or Cadenza move. This man wasted absolutely no movement in each of his attacks. With each move, he eroded a little more at the ice innate's momentum and strength. A little more resolve was washed away. A little more realization set in.

Well, at least such a set of things would have occurred down to the letter. The only thing that didn't was anything at all setting in. For Zachary, resolve was all he had in this battle. Unlike Zorlo or Selene or anyone else there, he had no real reason to have come here. The Ice Elemental had barely any reason to want to help Zorlo, and yet he was here anyway. Why? For what reason? Under what flawed logic?

To be exact, there wasn't any behind it. This was just another of countless battlefields the red haired youth had encountered that would fade into memory as the others. Battle after battle after battle. Battlefield after battlefield. Pain upon death upon suffering upon desire. This was just another battle. Another chance to senselessly test ones own ability. This had, for a long time, been Zachary's only home.

He had always told himself that battle would never end. So long as he was alive, the ice mage had always been convinced that he, similar to Zorlo, was bound to travel from place to place. For what reason? Simply to fill his need to fight. Still, as the next flurry of flaming slashes fell upon his sword, a recent event transpired in his mind. A discussion with someone that the red haired warrior found a kinship with. And as those memories flowed back, he slowly felt his fingers loosen on the handle of his sword. Why was he here?

A powerful blow sent Zachary's sword soaring into the air, embedding itself in the land behind him, and his body stumbling back and the ice innate falling on his back. As the ice warrior looked up at the sky, he felt his mind wander for a few moments as he stared upwards. He thought about what his life could be like. He slowly felt himself losing any urge he had to fight. Any urge he had to stand up.

Images of a happier time and place flowed past, and the Angel of Purgatory didn't move. "So that is it?" he asked, an odd fog being released from his robe, creating a thick, gray smog at first. Slowly, the images that seemed to flow through Zachary's mind of a happy family and being home took shape. "This is your desire? You truly wish to escape the endless cycle of battle that all of those here are caught up in? Perhaps a bit of freedom is all you need," Darien stated as he lifted up his sword.

"For a long time," Zachary murmured, watching his own dreams as they took physical shape in front of him, "I've dreamed of freedom. Freedom from Z. Freedom from the Dome. Freedom from life. And yet... not until now do I realize what I really want. More than anything I want to be a normal person. She showed me that... and yet I know that it will never be that way. Still, I have reason enough to change... for the people I will protect."

Powerful, gale force level gusts began to erupt from Zachary, who slowly stood up. The thick fog was blown away and even Darien had to fight the power of the winds pushing him back. "I'd forgotten, you can't reach this power normally. You've only got seventy percent of your power at any given time, correct?"

"Not entirely," Zachary said as he held his hand out and Mobius flew handle first into his palm. The ice innate wrapped his fingers around the swords and took the weapon in both hands, smiling. "Unlike Zorlo, I'm not going to protect everyone. I'm not an idealist dip****. However, if protecting Z, even if he doesn't need it, means protecting everyone, that's how the dice rolls. And that's how I'll defeat you."

Magical energy radiated off of Mobius violently as Zachary smiled. "Let the god and I become one!" Power erupted from Zachary as his hair turned white and Mobius took the form of a three and a half foot long sword. The ice innate smiled as his power increased further. "Half Elemental. Are you ready?"

o=)---------- ----------(=o

Visual blurs were the only discernible images from the high speed movement of the angel and the Aura Master. Aside from the bright flashes where their blades clashed, the two warriors were nigh hidden. After another powerful clash, power erupted and exploded around the aura covered fencer and the light covered angel. Zorlo skidded to a stop, dispelling his aura, as the King of Angels skid to a stop and the light around him faded away.

The two were both calm, except for the fact that the king was breathing very hard. "It feels like my very life force is being filtered from my body," he muttered, calling up what light energy he could. "I'll make you die!" the angel screamed as he pointed his sword forwards and a massive blast of light exploded forwards in the shape of a magical ball.

The light ball struck the green haired man. His hair blew back and the fencer smiled as the light energy cackled intensely around him. Slowly, the light energy seemed to be swallowed into the Aura Master's aura. Zorlo took two steps forwards before he stopped and smiled at the king, pointing his sword at the man. "Do you understand now? Light magic won't work on me. Your cheap tricks are up, Angel King. Lay your sword down and admit defeat," Zorlo stated, spinning his sword around his finger.

"Thought it would be that easy, did you?" the man asked, slowly standing up. There was silence for a moment. A bit of quiet. A long bit of it, actually. Nearly two minutes of nothing before a small, almost what could be considered an imaginary, sound began to ring out. Still, the sound grew and grew until it became clear that what was being heard was laughter. Insane, megalomaniacal laughter filled the halls of the room as the king released all levels of maniacal laughter and cackling. To anyone but Zorlo, it would be very annoying.

"Did you honestly think I'd let you simply kill me? After all, all I've used this far is the most basic powers of my angel self," the king said, his voice suddenly becoming fractured. The sound of his normal voice seemed echoed by a darker, more fierce and almost evil sounding voice. "Now then... I think it is time for me to show you what I've really become," the creature said as a thick, inky black-purple color emerged.

The darkness spread slowly across the ground, almost like an ooze, and slowly consumed a small area around the king. He looked up, the right half of his body having purple and black markings in the shape of waves appear. Three waves appeared on his right cheep as a horn slowly emerged out of the right temple of his head. "I don't need anyone to protect me. You will die here!" the king stated as he thrust his right arm out, a massive bat wing emerging from the scattered white feathers of his former wing.

"How sad. You've fallen so far as to become part demon in hopes of besting me. Well, I suppose it is time I showed you my divine half," Zorlo stated jokingly as massive golden wings exploded from his back, the force of his Ancient Aura being summoned cracking the walls around him. "Time for the real battle to begin," Zorlo stated as he held Apollo ready and watched the king grip his sword. The two burst forwards, golden aura trailing Zorlo; darkness following the king, seeming to consume all light around him.

Bleeding, bleeding.

He coughed. Gripping the wound on his neck tightly as the wound that almost separated his head from his body began to seal slowly.

Azrael took a step closer, the sound of his footfall echoing through the distortions in Rain’s hearing.

He’s coming…Move...! Legs—Urk!

Instead of moving, his legs bent, his knees went to the ground, kneeling before his would-be executioner. The Angel of Death raised one of the prism-swords slowly. Even though he didn’t lift it quickly, a rush of wind followed it and seemed to swirl around the blade for a few seconds before dispersing.

“I…finally…I claim your soul…”

He lowered the blade, bringing the force of the winds down with it. Are large explosion of dust and rubble ensued, covering the road in clouds of thick dust. A low growl accompanied it, followed by a small groan of pain.

A sword twisted in flesh, a howl came after.

The dust began to settle. Moment of truth? Maybe. Azrael’s prism-sword was washed in the blood on the ground; but even the liquid flowed off of the blade like water off a duck’s back. More blood fell onto the blade, but it continued to run off swiftly.

“You lose.”

Rain had barely maneuvered away from the sword’s path; he brought his own golden sword to his fingers and pushed it through the Death Angel’s heart. Azrael finally fell back, landing on the upturned stones and in a pool of his own dark blood.

“N-not yet…” he stuttered, gasping, “I will always come back. Wounds like this will heal—not kill.”

Rain stood up, glaring at him.

“But for now…” Azrael continued, gesturing towards the prism-swords, “You have won, those are your prizes. You’ll need them… The air is their sheath. Vacuums are their main attacks. Angelstorm starts from a high place…”

He started loosing his voice right then, it became lower, harder to hear; “Wintersun…and Summersnow—just use it. For crying out loud, you’re so ****ing fast but you’re so ****ing slow at the same time. Pick them up and go!”

Rain grinned as he picked up the two swords. Immediately, they disappeared, turning into tiny glass particles and circling around him until they became almost invisible. He began to move away, toward the main tower.

“Your eyes can glare straight through another’s. What you did earlier, use it again; turn their intent against them.”

The Grim Angel disappeared from sight, smiling slightly to himself. At the drop of the sword, he replayed the events in his mind, he hesitated at the last moment…

Azrael lay back on the ground, unable to move for the moment. Suddenly he summoned some strength and shouted out, “I don’t get paid enough for this ****!”


OoC: Didn't read it over, excuse any mistakes xP

She was standing over a group of guards she'd just dispatched pretty easily. The fortress was quiet--almost eerily so. Everything was just clouds, white stone, and silence, save for the little heap of bloodied bodies near her. It was the kind of calm you got before a storm, Cadenza thought, only you couldn't tell whether it was going to be a little drizzle, or a full-blown hurricane.

That thought was still in her mind when the walls began to shake, almost as if on cue. It wasn't just the room she was in that was quaking--it was the entire fortress, as if the clouds had just woken up to find tons of stone had been dropped on them while they were asleep, and were not happy about the discovery. Pebbles fell onto the floor, dropping through the white wisps...

Then the whole disc that was the floor of the level above cracked away from the walls, and began to plummet.

It fell quickly, like a giant anchor was tied to it--there was only enough time to realize what was happening, maybe gasp, and try desperately to dive out of the way. Cadenza was only just sinking down into a shadow when it hit the ground, scraped against the mythril on her arm that hadn't made it through yet, and crushed her left hand through the thin glove.

The gypsy didn't scream out... it was more of a silent cry that she bit back as she winced, nursing her hand a little until she was ready to reappear from the shadows and see what the hell had caused the ceiling to crash down. The fortress stopped shaking while she waited, settling with the sound of dust and cracked stone pouring through from floor to floor like sand in an hourglass. Some large spire seemed to have fallen through, from what she could see, and blocked the sun from the windows.

Rather than a greeting, she found herself the object of interest of two giant hands when she showed up on the disc of flooring. They reached out and grabbed her by her smashed hand, earning another wince.

"When I was told there was a problem, I wasn't expecting it to be a wee little mouse," the owner of the hands boomed, with a voice like the earth itself was coming alive.

It was then that Cadenza realized the giant figure that had been blocking out the sun for the past few moments was not some wreckage, or a pillar, but instead, a Royal Guard who was quite possibly near the same size as the fortress itself. The whole upper half of his body was lost somewhere amidst the clouds and sunshine, far beyond her field of vision.

And he was shattering her hand.

"They said someone was causing trouble with magic though... so I came prepared, little one. Magic stings me a little. This won't let you do so much."

A finger with the force of a comet stuck a small seal on her forehead, inscribed with glowing runes that burned on contact. Cadenza muttered something after, but it fell on big, deaf ears very very far away up the fortress as the giant took a tighter grip on the gypsy's hand, and begin to swing.

"Our little problem will soon be solved," the angel shouted happily. He started to throw Cadenza around like a wrecking ball, bringing the walls of the fortress down seemingly without a care. "When we're done," he added, and this time, there was a deadly edge to his otherwise flat voice, "you'll look just like the guards who called me for help did."

When pounds and pounds of stone are being slammed into you, or rather, through you... it's hard to concentrate on much else, really. So it took all Cadenza could manage to slip her gunblade out of its sheath with her free hand, trying some desperate maneuver to use the momentum of all this swinging to her advantage, if she could just stay conscious long enough...

OoC: Blah, my writing stinks majorly lately. <_____>

The Lord said, "Let there be light." And there was light.

Not here.

Her heart had never beaten so quickly. Your eyes did not adjust, your fears did not quell. No sound, no hope at all lay in the grasp of your clawing hands. The blackness smothered all those in its grasp, cutting them off from life, digesting and destroying them piece by piece.

Selene had survived once before.

"Dark.... it's so dark..." his voice had changed. It shivered, every syllable quaking from its roots. "Where am I? How do we get out?!" his voice became frantic, the magic poison of fear working its way slowly through his pores, slipping through his bloodstream and finally impacting the heart, enveloping it.

Selene hooked her fingers together, seated on the ground and holding her knees, rocking back and forth a little, yet not hysterical as she knew Kinir would soon be. Fear, when it was alive and well, had strange effects on a man. "Dark Selene... the darkness in myself... I know I had you once... you were seperated from me."

Amidst Kinir's screaming, she felt her heart beat begin to slow slightly. The echoing began to fade. ...Selene...

"You must come and help me now. Without you I will die. I know you still exist within me, as you do with every man. Please give me your help once more, please dwell within me as you once did. I cannot survive without you. Be a part of me."

In the hole, something was happening.

OoC: I really felt this post was bad, but I had to do something, so I did my best.