The Main Story [Pinnacle Arc]

Dusty's face contorted into a mangled frown of worry. He could tell something was wrong, not only from Dakora's stammering words that gave most of it away, but also her body language. The fumbling with keys, the shaking hands. It gave away the rest of her facade of being okay, and it made him wonder what exactly was troubling her.





He cursed his terrible ability to tell what was wrong with her. He smacked his temple with the palm of his hand. "Stupid, stupid, stupid..." He muttered under his breath, standing there like an idiot in front of the pink-haired Raven. He didn't respond to Ryos's speech, either, instead scratching his matted hair while he tried to think of what was wrong with Dakora. (@Infinities Lover )

Blitz jaw dropped when he realized his guild mates were all put on the same team except him. He was at least hoping on having one of them with him so he wouldn't feel left out in his group. If their was a God up there then this must be his idea of a cruel joke on the poor mage.


Blitz then looked over at the mages he will be fighting with and can already tell that he would have to fight with everything he has in order not be left behind. "Don't you guys lose to that Lennix person at all cost okay! Or else you won't hear the end of it from me!" He said to the other raven tail showing a little bit of his soft side before walking towards the group he was assigned. @The Servant

Dakora blinked, feeling something nudge her foot. She looked down with a curious expression, picking up the round orb as she casted a suspicious glance at the Warden of The Fog. "Huh. Hey. Do you know what this is?" The pink haired mage asked, holding the round item towards Dusty, lacrima identification wasn't her specialty- since they always reminded her of unnecessarily expensive and elaborate gems. Gems were not the problem, but the price of them. "Necessity over luxury" was the rope she walked by in life. @The Servant

“The mages Aedon, Fermata, Kyoya, Dakora, and Maverick will engage Lennix." Now it was official. It wasn't quite Shin's plan, but Kyoya didn't mind the target change. A dark wizard is a dark wizard after all.


"I always enjoy a fight," he remarked to Dakora. (@Nekoni ) "Don't you guys lose to that Lennix person at all cost okay!Or else you won't hear the end of it from me!" Kyoya let out a gruff laugh after Blitz's comment. "Heh, I don't plan on loosing to any dark wizard." (@XxToxicGoldxX )


Kyoya then turned his attention to Drake. He was intrigued by the request to bring back Lennix's head, but would the other wizards on his team allow him to go that far. Maybe Dakora and Maverick would let him do his thing, but he wasn't sure about Aedon and Fermata. "I won't promise anything about Lennix's head, but I'll do whatever it takes to take him down," he replied. (@Archdemon )


As Maverick and Dekora made their introductions, Kyoya left his position against the wall and walked up to Aedon and Fermata. "Looks like we're going to be working together," he said gruffly. "I guess for the sake of your strategy I should introduce myself," he added to Aedon, before introducing himself to his non-Raven Tail teammates. "The name's Kyoya Kumori. I'm Raven Tail's shadow and static shadow-make magic user." (@CelticHero37 , @sonicfreak101 )

Fermata listened intently as the final teams were decided. She was somewhat glad that Aedon ended up on her team. He may be gigantic jerk who annoyed the crap out of her, but he was the only person she actually knew here. Apparently almost everyone on their team was from a guild named Raven Tail. There was Maverick who was mistakenly called Malerie by the douche nozzle. Then there was the short girl Dakora who was an air and celestial mage. Fermata was thankful she was on their side since she is terrible against air and wind mages. Hopefully she doesn’t mess up my magic, Fermata mused. Sound was useless if it got carried away by the wind. Lastly, there was Kyoya who seemed fired up for the fight. With Aedon, these Raven Tail wizards and I, we have the makings of a badass team, Fermata smirked.




“Seems like a good team to me,” Fermata announced happily. She absently pulled out her guitar and began to tune it. “I’m Fermata,” She introduced herself. “I’m guide less for the moment, but I’m hoping to change that soon.” She nudged Aedon in the shoulder for emphasis. “Despite that, I’m a damn good sound mage if I do say so myself.”

Acceptance, Friends and New Challenges

Putting his hand over his neck and then touching her hand, there was a slight burning sensation to what he assumed was the guild crest and then, since obvious she wasnt quite talented enough, Zac pointed his finger on Adria’s left shoulder. She just kind of watched as it formed and with that they were fully bona fide members of a mages guild. However, there was no real feeling of accomplishment. They had not really done anything but that realization seemed to be short lived as Malda start talking strangely.


In a way Zac kind of understood what she meant, but he really had no idea what it entailed until the throbbing activated.


bah dump... bah dump


Zac hunched over and grabbed at his chest. His hair covering his face as the girls argued.


“Zacky?” Adria looked over, speaking softly at her friend.


Bah dump


Blood drops hit the floor leaving perfect little circles. Adria backed away slowly. This was far different that anything she had seen before. Usually battle would bring out the darkness, but this time, it willing came forward. A soft laugh could be heard but Malda broke it with ordering Novus to bind the boy before it was too late.


Chains came from the floor, binding around both shoulders and wrapping down both his arms before pulling extremely taught and locks appearing to bind chains in place. The boy was on his knees and held in place, but his head still leaned over almost as if his body was lifeless. Then, it moved.


The chains suddenly creaked and moaned under the stress of the boy pulling on them. His arms appeared more muscular than before and appearing engorged as he tugged on them with inhuman strength.


“Your fault,” The boy stop but his voice now had an eerie demon ring to it and it was lower than before, “Was thinking you could control me.”


His head tilted up slowly and finally after what felt like a horrifying hour, his eyes met with Malda’s. They were an empty black, with only the vibrant blue shining through as if peering into her soul. A stream of blood left the boys nostril, and thickly covered either corner of his mouth, all of them coming to a point on the bottom of his chin and constantly dripping onto the floor.


“You were already a part of this Hell the second you laid magic on me.”


He started to laugh maniacally and the room started to turn black for everyone in a swirling heap of nothingness. Soon the only ones left in the room where Malda and Novus. The boy and the cat were gone and in this empty blackness rang his voice. It spoke to them.


“You want to repair this boy? Then let me show you how I broke him and made him mine.”


Into his Hell

The sound of something started to form. At first it was soft but grew louder and louder until it was almost too hard to concentrate and then, as if a movie started, everything came into focus. A large city? or maybe what use to be a city formed around the two women. The heat of the flames licked at their skin and the light lit the area as if mid day yet still being crept upon by darkness. The dust and stench of burning flesh could sear the sister's nostrils.


Buildings, statues, houses and walkways all turned to debris and rubble and in the wake of it all, stood a man, with a sword, facing a giant shadow.


The shadow was three times the size of the man, solid black in form, only outlined by the flames behind him. He had monstrous clawed hands, large wings and a muscle body for crushing anything. The man never stood a chance.


“...FOR EVERYONE!!!! I WILL KILL YOU!!!!” Screamed the man as he charged the creature. But with one foul swoop of an arm and a swift glance of a leg, the creature appeared behind the man, and he fell to his knees. Sword from hand, head from body, and torso from waist, the pieces of the man all burst into flames as they hit the ground separately and a blood curdling, most horrified scream of a young woman rang out across the town from behind the two Sisters.


The woman held a small child while on her knees. With crunch after crunch of the ground, the creature grew closer until he finally passed through Malda and Novus like a mirage. The woman kissed the child and told him to run; turning around, she activated some sort runes that appeared on the ground around the child, and then inbetween her and the beast.


Like a soulless laugh, the creature opened his fist and fire emerged from it. The woman appeared terrified and in the blind of an eye, his fist closed and a torrent of fiery wind wrapped around the woman like fingerss and without so much as a scream of pain or terror, her figured corroded into dust, incinerated instantly, into nothingness.


The boy looked back in horror but couldn’t find the strength to continue. Dropping to his knees, he weeped. His sobs of sorrow and pain sinking straight into the hearts of anyone to hear them. The creature stopped in front of the child. Panting loudly as a creature would before its kill, it spoke to the boy.


“Any other day... I would slay you in an instant feeble human... Being the last survivor...” Reaching down he grabbed the boy by the shirt and lifted him but inches from his blacked out face and piercing blue eyes. “Someone needs to spread tales of my terror. Hah hah haha...” Releasing his grip, the boy fell to the ground still weeping. Turning, the creature began to leave.


In that moment any other boy would of sat their and rather died than take another step. But as if someone took his hand the child hoisted himself up. Tears still streaming, but his face showed not that of terror or sorrow, but that of the same beast before him; unadulterated rage.


His arm shot up and magic circled formed around his hand and arm. They were blood red in color and within an instant, grew to the size that should of be impossible for a young mage, let alone a child to achieve.


The beast turned around curiously and stared at the boy before raising his own hand to see it fading, as the shape of it formed on the child.


Takeover!? Thought the beast. A smile sinister in origin and unnerving in form broke the shadows face.


“AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” Screamed the child at the top of his lungs and the beast formed a sword from no where. The very sword Zac had. With a flash of light the Beast instantly clashed against the magic of the child. Strangely his attack was blocked. Two more rings appeared on the ground mysteriously, light blue in color and they seemed to condense as magically essence drained from them and absorbed into the child.


As if an angel had desended upon him, for an instant, an armor clad warrior with astounding white wings and a light blue sword made of pure energy formed around the boy as if holding the monster at bay. Only a moment passed and a huge explosion formed.


It engulfed the entire every with pure light. Taming fires, Softening screams and promoting life, the sounds of fire and pain seemed to release from the area. As the light began to fade and not burn eyes of the sisters anymore, the same area seemed to come into focus but some time seemed to of pass.


Reality or Not?

Grass covered the around with the debris of buildings and the town that once stood here looking no more than rocks. The grass could be felt under the Sister’s feet and as the mid day sun beat down a comfortable warm, next to them was a small boy, the same child from before and a small human girl about the same age. Both their backs faced the Sisters and they quietly spoke.


“Zacky, what are these stones. Why do they only have names?” She asked.


“They are people I once knew. People that cant talk anymore.”


“Aw”, She said softly, “Don’t cry Zacky.” She reached over and wiped the tears from his eyes. “You have me now.”


Turning and noticing that Malda and Novus were here also, she added them as well. “Plus Malda and Novus are your friends now. Looky!” She turned his shoulder and pointed at them, “Now we can go play at the river together!!” The girl spoke excitedly.


The two of them got up and as Zac turned, it could be seen he wiped the last of his tears away. Though something was off. The sisters only stood as tall as the children in front of them. When the boy and the girl gathered, they asked the sisters what they wanted to play.


“Tehe, What are we going to play first!?” Asked the girl, giggling as she looked to all three of them for answers.


@White Masquerade

Finally, it seemed as thought the chaos died down and the erratic group of wizards were finally beginning to understand their situation. It also helped that Lady Kandosii agreed with Ryos' notions. She once again went over the game plan, now a bit more polished than her last. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.


“And if possible, as a favor to me I suppose...I would like you to rescue A’den and Vaiya Kandosii from harm as well.”


Ryos nodded. He would have done that anyway.


"That will be a very personal mission for me," he stated.


That's when Ryos began feeling a tapping on his arm. Looking down beside him, he found Rei, who appeared to have overcome her fear of the Poison Dragon Slayer.


"Excuse me Mr. Ryos... I have a question"


Ryos smirked. Though not quite the same, Rei managed to remind him of Carrie Ulstream, his guild mate and very close friend, in some ways.


"You don't have to be formal with me, what's your question."

Rei Gladiolus


d


Rei knew she had to be super careful about how she asked this question. Ryos might think of her as a bad guy if she did not take caution. Or worst yet... the world could be destroyed. Yes it was that serious. Ryos was the strongest mage she knew and could probably crush the world with his dragon slayer kamahamahaaa. She took a deep breath and said, "What if the boom mage uses eye picture magic. I cannot block that with my shield... can you show me how to block it so i can catch Kitty... help Protect Kitty." Upon saying 'kitty' Rei hugged herself as if she was cuddling with him as they spoke. After a minute of pretending to kiss and hug Kitty, she remembered she was talking with someone and her face went tomato red. Sweat poured down her embarrassed face, "... That... was... my super secret ninja attack... yeah... but Ryo tell me please"


She dropped on her knees, tugged on his pants, puckered her lip, open her eyes real wide so she could give him the puppy eyes. This was Rei's super Kawaii Moe attack.


@BLUR

An echoing boom rang through the hallways of the Raccoon Alliance Forward Base. Then another. And another. Like a steady rhythm, the vibrations grew louder and louder towards those members gathered in the hallways. Soon its source revealed itself. Rounding the corner of the corridor came a hulking, metallic figure, armed to the teeth with an array of absolutely massive weaponry.




It appeared to be wearing an armor of some sort, formed with smooth plating that led to deadly jagged edges, and heavy-looking in the sheer size of its metallic plates. Its pieces each interlocked seemlessly with one another to create not one inch of exposure to what may lie underneath. Yet, perhaps it was irrelevant what was beneath this armored giant. Its exterior was morphed into a frightening visage of war, its design foreign and alien to what normal humans may be accustomed to. Claws of steel gripped a gargantuan weapon, bladed with sharp serrated edges on one end and expanding outwards into a mace at the other. The being dragged it across the tiled hallways, rending the floor into miniature chasms with the sheer weight and sharpness of its blade as it approached the dark mages gathered within.


A flourishing cape waved behind the figure, but it was one far beyond the norm. Rather than crafted with cloth, this cape was a series of long, sharp blades interconnected with one another, eventually rattling down to the numerous pointed edges at its tips. The metal edges clanked while the figure moved, adding on to the booming vibrations caused by the armor’s footsteps to create a cacophony of terrifying noise--the sound of imminent destruction.


The figure approached the mages within the hallway. It spoke, its deep and booming voice spreading a chill throughout the dark mages within. It was an ominous sound, calm, yet with a poorly hidden disdain beneath reinforced by the sheer force of power behind the voice. It was as if, without speaking of it, the metallic behemoth was announcing its own strength; one that dwarfed all of the dark mages present, despite them being considered extremely dangerous in their own regard. Essentially, something on another level beyond even an S-Class Mage’s threat. And they could all see it, hear it, feel it in their pores.


“Quit fucking around. The master has summoned the lot of the Elites to meet at the entrance to the Forward Base. I’ve already informed Lennix and Kirazale. Stein, get ready--no screw ups this time. If you fail again, I’ll kill you.” Again, a complete certainty echoed from the voice, and the dark mages could immediately tell that the goliath meant it said, and more importantly, could follow through with it.


“Scarlet, you’ll also be accompanying us. I’d rather not send in that fool Daichi again, but it will be the master’s call. You, mage,” the behemoth called out, its clawed finger pointed at a dark mage turning around the corner. The grunt immediately froze up, sweat visibly dripping from his skin and as he jumped into the straightest stance he had ever been in complete attention.


“Tell Daichi to meet us in front of the base as well. We’ll see if the master deems him worthy of coming along. Remind him that if he’s not there within two minutes, we’ll be abandoning him entirely. Do you understand?”


“Y-yes, Malka! I understand!” the mage stuttered in response. With a quick and perfect salute, he practically ran down the hallway to execute his mission as fast as he could.


The metal giant turned its gaze back towards the Scarlet and Stein, its gaze an endless abyss eerily like an empty void. It turned away and exited the hallway a moment later, without pausing for questions of any sort, and proceeded to make its way down the hallway to disappear around the corner once again. Yet, the booms of its footfall remained ever present, slowly fading into silence several moments later.





@kirito1337 @White Masquerade

Daichi was disappointed with Lennix' response. From Lennix' reply to his earlier comment, he had hoped there was at least one ray of light in this dark guild. Such was not the case. He hadn't determined this because of the insults, but rather how little they valued the life of their team. He wondered why there wasn't just an elite 1.


After Daichi had wandered around the base and done his own thing for a while, a mage stopped him, hyperventilating from the running he had to do to get to him. "Malka... wants to meet you... at the base entrance..." the mage said, trying to catch his breath as he talked, "If you're not there in two minutes... they're going to leave without you..." "Thanks." Daichi said cheerfully before running down the halls to the base entrance. He made it there in less than a minute and hoped that it didn't take that mage too long to find him before delivering the message.


-----


Klefa was honestly surprised that Rei wasn't torn up over the fact they they weren't fighting together. Blake, however, was worried. He was on the same team as that monster. If he was on this team, he would have to wear this hat into combat, thus allowing the potential for it to be damaged which meant that the fedora guy was going to kill him. He had to switch teams. "Look, luv, I don't want to criticize you on your strategy skills since you're better at it than I am, but I don't think I should be on that team." he said, "Like I said before, my special eyes can see right through Lennix' illusions. I'd suggest switching me out with someone who was going to fight Lennix." Klefa, however, knew why Blake really wanted to change teams. She herself was okay with the plan, even if she wasn't able to supervise Rei. She would be okay for now, right?

Kotone walked out of the raccoon alliance base and threw her cloak on again. "Maybe after we kill all these mages I'll spar with you Stein" she said as she walked out the door. She got outside and met with the figure in armour. "Well you sure look creepy, I bet half of our enemies will run away when they see you coming in your armour" she said snickering. "Hmmm, I wonder where the other elite is, I met Lennix before but I am yet to meet the other one.... what was his name again" Kotone says.




Lightning walked over towards Dusty giving him a pat on the back. "Hey listen, there ain't nothing to be worried about, you look kind of down, but we will prevail, we are the Blue Pegasus guild after all" she said. "Now lets get to work, I need a bit of time to prepared my equipment but I should be good to go soon, and the quicker we finish this up the quicker we can help other groups, It's us three Blue Pegasus members against one Raccoon Alliance grunt, so we should finish this fast" she said as she walks off to prepare herself or battle.




Shin looked at the lady of the house and just gave a quick nod to her decision, he would have felt more comfortable with someone who used similar air and water magic on his team that the elite used but it would be fine, the mages on his team were highly skilled and they were well matched with the enemy. He began to take stuff out of his bag. He took another vile of dragons blood and a knife out of it as well as some regular blood containers before throwing the book bag to one side. He readjusted the sword to his waist and prepared for battle.


@Refaulted


@Lexielai


@White Masquerade

Misunderstanding and Truth

Zac’s hand reached out as he went to grab Malda’s, but he stopped and his hand started to tremble. His grip on the girls hand tightened and she winced, squeaking for him to stop, but her words did not reach his ears. his head dropped with a shadow cast over his face and his knees felt weak.


Why could they not understand his pain. He didn’t want it, he didnt want him to get out, why couldn’t they just go play.

Like a world sized piece of glass, the sound of it cracking under stress rang out and as if projected on the sky, a large crevasse appeared and with it, something started to fall. a whirling sound, soft yet deadly grew louder and louder until it finally impacted the ground slightly behind Zac in three different spots.


All three of them were shaped like large deformed triangles; standing nearly 3 stories tall and highly reflective. They crashed into the ground with amazing force, burying themselves easily up to 5 or 6 feet deep. They all angled perfectly so that Novus and Malda could see reflections of Zac. With one on either side of him and the largest directly behind him the reality had gotten even more strange than it already was.


To the sisters, the reflection directly behind him was the creature, though slightly different. This time he actually had shape and form. Long black hair, black covering much oh his face, his body was slender yet muscular and black with only very light highlights and still clawed hands with markings on his chest and arms. Its piercing blue eyes just watched all three girls.


The mirror to the left of him portrayed the Zac that was outside. It showed their chains binding him, a pool of blood on the floor and an immobile boy. The one on the right was the little upset boy, even younger than the one before them, head back tears rolling from either side and him screaming in pain and sorrow, yet strangely no sound at all.


The break in the sky grew bigger.


Pulling his hand from the girl, he took a few steps back. “None of you understand! I... I.. I cant! I just want to play because.... Because... I’m.. So...” His head tilted down tears streaming. “Please just leave before he comes!! I just.. don’t.. want anyone else to die... please..” Finally he fell to his knees.


The girl that was with him was huddled over by Novus now, kind of behind her.


The Boy and the Monster

As if from a scifi thriller, the towering image behind the boy moved. First it was barely noticeable twitch and a grin but then, with a step, the image pulled itself from the mirror. Slowly, the towering creature moved through into their realm. Its clawed, hand of darkness came down and grabbed the boy on the shoulder as his size shrank from the image to something more realistic for them to comprehend.


Zac turned white and stopped dead as the hand grasp his being. Fear holding him as still as a statue and the creatures grip ensuring that the boy tried nothing.


“You still are yet to grasp the situation little girls,” He spoke directly to Malda, then with icy eyes that could freeze a mountain, turned then to Novus and the girl hiding behind her. “The truth? The truth is it matters not where you are, but that where you are going. Hah hah...”


His lips parted and vibrant white fangs emerged, and they laughed in a tone that sent chills down all their backs. His hand moved to the back of Zac’s neck and it tightened until he started to choke and then lifted the boy up into the air.


“...And where are you going? You are all going to die. Right here, right now, by my hand. After I relieve this boy of this body, I will be reborn into my former self, no longer a prisoner of this god forsaken fleshy husk.”


Pulling his arm back, quickly, he threw Zac into the girls. Knocking all three of them away. Once more, reality changed. The intruders and Zac had been returned to their original bodies.


“You say you’re ready to kill me? Let’s give you some motivation to inspire.”


Even with his size the same as theirs, his power was tremendous, and growing by the minute. Flicking his left hand out, a chain, just like Novus’, shot out of the ground and wrapped around his wrist and the other end, wrapped around Novus' neck. However, they started to glow and sear her flesh. Pulling it fiercely, and swinging it towards the mirror, Novus was powerless against the creature as she was pulled from the group and across the grass slamming into the mirror showing the outside Zac. Spider webbing from where she hit it, especially around her head, the chains came loose and vanished.


Zac was on his knees, hands over his ears, face buried into the grass and rocking back and forth. “No no no no no no no...”


“Zacky?”


“...zacky...” This time her voice low and scared. Tears started to form and rolled down one side of her Face. “I.. I don’t want to die...”


With a flick of the other hand, the same thing happened to the little girl with them who had not changed. She screamed as it burned but her voice wavered as she was also pulled away and swung into the mirror opposite of Novus, fracturing and spider webbing the glass with the small boy inside it. The sound of her small frame hitting the glass was stomach churning and her frail body collapsed after the attack. She had been rendered unconscious.


“Hah hah haha... The boy is Mine”


Zac stopped rocking and his whole body just trembled, shocked and feared into paralysis. Tears streamed as he sat there useless and unable to do anything. He wanted to, if he could he'd kill the monster where he stood but it just wouldn't happen. He remembered what happened last time.-


@White Masquerade

As Dakora spoke with the other members of her guild, Dusty awkwardly, not sure wither to indulge himself into the conversation. He would usually press himself into a conversation with members of his own guild, and mold himself into whatever they were talking about, unless it was about pointless fashion or what was 'trending' in the new Sorcerer's Weekly. He mostly enjoyed talking about witches and finding out anything new around Earthland that people had heard.





Dusty decided that if he was going to be with Dakora, he would have to at least make himself an introduction to some of her Guildmates. He raised the hand she wasn't holding and held it up in greeting, showing the dark brown Guild Mark on his hand. "Well, sorry to intrude on all yours meeting and stuff, but just to make myself known, I'm Donald Houns, or Dusty, which is my widespread nickname, and I'm the S-Class mage of Blue Pegasus. Well, one of them, at least." He shot a wink at Dakora. "I think I might be seeing you guys a lot on the future."


He directed his focus back to Dakora's previous question. He looked at the lacrima ball she had, and he perked up. "Oh, that's one of Vince's Communication Orbs. He gave them to Jacob to hand out to some mages here so everyone could keep in touch and give each other info. Apparently, you attach it to your skin or something and it uses the amount of magic you have to send thoughts and stuff. The less magic youhave in you, the worse the signal, I guess."


He felt a tap on his back and turned to Lightening, who began to explain to him about setting up her equipment. When she turned and was walking away, he hollered to her so she would hear him. "I never said we would lose! Don't make assumptions!" He huffed a breath and turned back to the Raven Tail mages. "Uh...sorry about that."

Aedon was slightly irked that the group had not heeded his plan. It wasn't that he doubted the abilities of the other wizards. However, he felt the current teams would create an unnecessary waste of time, as they would have to troubleshoot and hold back their powers.







Brushing the annoyance off his face, Aedon transformed. The glare that ignited his eyes was very similar to his death glare. However, there was an energetic excitement that literally brightened the room. In reality, Aedon was utilizing his energy-make magic to raise the intensity of light in the room. He shot his gaze to Blake and said, "Well, you're up kid. I need you at point with Kyoya and Dakora. You're basically the bullshit detector. Got it?"





With that, he glanced sidelong at Kyoya and Dakora, "I need you two to work together and keep him distracted. If you see the chance to take him out, go for it, but you need to make sure he doesn't spot the rest of us. Don't do anything stupid either."





Aedon spun around, his trench coat etching an electric trail in the air as it spun around. He snapped his fingers as he pointed at Maverick and Fermata and continued with his plan, "I need you two for the second part of my plan. Maverick… sorry about the name mixup by the way bud, I need you to shadow Fermata and I as much as you can. I don't know the extent of your power, but I'm sure you can work something out. As you do this, we will all flank Lennix and strike him from behind. He can't create illusions for us if he can't perceive where we are."





Aedon directly faced Fermata, placing a hand on her shoulder, "We'll need you to be our eyes if shit hits the fan. I mean… well, you get the point."





Stepping back to put all the members in his view, Aedon cracked a smile and said, "In the initial plan, I will make the final strike with my Katana. Yet if you see the chance to end the battle, take it. Don't be idiots though. Everyone's coming out of this alive. Now, before we light 'em up, make a circle and grab each other's hands. I'm giving you a magical energy boost. That way we can take charge of the battle right from the start."







By this time, the air surrounding Aedon was cracking with lightning sparks. He was definitely ready for the fight and hoped the others had been heartened by his words. Of course they could just brush him off, but that would negatively effect the group as a whole.





@The Servant @sonicfreak101

“So this is the place, huh?” A girl sighed as she looked up at a grand mansion. Her friend nodded his head next to her. She tossed the skull she held in her hand up above her head before catching it once again. She smiled and turned to look into her tall friends eye sockets. “It was so nice for those two wizards to knock out those people for us, don’t you think? It allowed us to acquire some new friends, just like you taught me: true friendship is watching the last bit of light leave a person’s eye’s.” Her skeleton friend was was silent but turned his head to look at her in reply. “I mean it was a little sad that all of the inner ear bones were completely fractured. That must have been some sound wave.” The girl trailed off. “I miss my previous collection..” She complained softly before her face suddenly turned harsh.


“We wouldn’t have to go THROUGH collecting all these bones if that STUPID graveyard owner hadn’t confiscated all the ones in my backpack!” The girl stated angrily, hurtling the human skull to the ground, smashing it into pieces. She kicked some of the pieces and stomped toward the mansion. “We just have to make a few more friends to fix the gaps in my NEW collection.” She mumbled but was suddenly stopped. There was something, some force surrounding the mansion that prevented her from getting any closer. “SERIOUSLY?! What in the WORLD is THIS crap!!” she shouted at the unknown force. She growled deeply before someone placed their hand on her shoulder.


“Manubrium, I know. Breathe Stapes, breathe.” She stated before taking a few deep breaths. She stared at the magical force for a moment before the pieces of the skull she had smashed begun to shake and piece themselves back together. The skull flew back into her hand “I wonder…” She contemplated before throwing the skull at the force. The skull flew right through. She suddenly grinned ear to ear before turning around to her skeleton friend. She craned her neck to look up at him as he stood up straight.


“Time for the master, to serve the apprentice, Manubrium.” Stapes grinned as she watched the skeleton walk through the force without an issue. She closed her eyes for a few moments as she felt the people within the building. It was her specialty, seeing people’s bones, she could even see them through walls. The only problem was that was all she could see, she can tell if someone is right next to her, but not if there is a wall in between them or not. Quite an interesting bunch they were. Many of the skeletons showed remodeling from tough bodily training, some much less than others but there were a select few that stood out to her: A little girl, whose skeleton showed signs of remodeling that was unlike any Stapes had seen; a young man of about her own age whose stages of remodeling suggest he must have scars still physically on his body; a young man, with...were those caudal vertebrae?! He had a tail! Finally, a girl of about her age, whom Stapes had been following; a blind girl, due to the severe remodeling on her occipital bone; whose skeleton looked like a train wreck, so to speak.


“Lets go say thank you to those wizards from before, but be nice, I would LOVE to see the girl’s train wreck of a skeleton up close.” Stapes announced to no one as she felt Manubrium walk through the hallways. She narrowed her eyes when the skeleton suddenly refused to move forward. “Crap Manubrium, stop running into walls.” she complained.


(featured wizards were as follows: Rei, Dusty, Blake, and Fermata)

 





At the sight of blood streaking from the back of Novus' head, down the mirror she was plastered into, Malda closed eyes, herself wincing in shared pain. "You have the nerve to..." she mumbled. "You! A monster who knows nothing of valuing a life dare touch my sister!?? Ooooh, you made one BIG mistake!" Her voice and anger were reaching levels shown only to those she truly detested. It bordered on the feeling she had felt, when first stumbling upon the life-less bodies of her parents. Crash began seeping from her pores, covering trembling visage in a light haze of white. "And then to top it AAALLL OFF! You go on ahead and bring this poor girl into it too!" CRACK! A piece of mirror, where the little child held stuck, dropped to the ground, shattering into a billow of incandescent fractures. "People. No. Things like you, make me sick." Pores dilated even further as an audible whoosh transformed the haze of white, into a thick discharge of spiraling energy. A deep roar, reminiscent of a wroth Ogre bonged through the area, sending pieces of nearby terrain warping in and out of their natural existence.


Deep and low, she turned to Zac growling with muted belligerence. "You're pathetic. Here I was thinking you'd be a nice fit to our guild, yet you're just sitting there crying over god knows what. When my parents died, I didn't just sit there and mope, I actually did something about it. I resumed my guild-master duties, more driven then ever before, trained night and day to become the best I could, even tracking down my dear little sister, to pay her back as recompense for her sin."


A whirling spiral of crash appeared bright, cloaking her right hand. "I know what you can do Zac. I know what you're capable of. I saw the visions. But knowing that, still you choose to sit there paralyzed, doing nothing to help us. To help your family." With her left, Malda opened an azure portal directly behind him. "From here on, you are terminated from the Twilight Ogre Guild. Once we're outside, I'll be revoking your membership officially." Directing wormhole to pull in the fretting the boy, Malda transported him to a location afar off in the distance. Before his shape completely disappeared through the void, the guild-master shot him a look of disgust, saying, "This guild is built on trust. And I don't trust you. So stay the hell away from me." Then, in a blink, he was gone.





"NOW FOR THIS ONE!" She yelled, spinning quickly around. Widening her stance, she shifted body weight to the side, holding cupped hands by her stomach. [Warp Crash: Kamehameha]


"KA."


Hands glowed white as magic drained from her arms down to fists.


"ME."


This was for Novus. This was for the little girl dragged into this mess. This was for the village of innocents the monster mercilessly slaughtered. Heck, though she despised his weak being, this was even for Zac and the pain the monster put him through.


"HA."


Crash filled the space between her palms trying to push hands apart, but she would not let it be so.


"ME."


A high-pitched keen shrilled and reverberated with the volatile energy now beginning to smash itself.


"HA!"


That was it. Bringing clasped hands forward, a gaping laser exploded out, crushing ground and shattering air itself on its way headlong to the hulking demon.





'Like hell. There's no way I'm letting you get out of here alive.' Maldachika Clive, the young guild-master of Twilight Ogre, was prepared to go all out.







Novus smiled, coughing up blood as the maw of a laser raced closer. 'Aw man. Looks like I'm gonna feel it to...but her...today is not her day...'


[Chain Magic: Chain Armor]





A blanket of chains crept up the length of the mirror, till it enveloped the girl opposite her in a women metal blanket. "And you for you," she heaved, breath sputtering.


[Chain Magic: 3-Lock Chain Jail]





As Novus slipped into unconsciousness, she viewed with eyesight fading, chains crawl up on and over the creature's being.





'Don't...you dare..think about running away...you....big... ugly...m..'


@Kaine

To Ein, this meeting was already over. He already knows his role in this and had no control over what these other mages can and will do. He elected to silently remove himself from all this bickering. Just as he reached for the doorknob, he felt another shift in the magic particles around him. Ein hesitated for a second but it was gone the next. Was it just his imagination? he asked himself before recomposing himself and went out.


He walked towards where he was supposed to be stationed for this fight and sat down. Though it only appeared that he was sitting quietly, he was gathering magic energy through meditation. He was gonna need a lot in the coming battle. He sat still and waited for Raccoon Alliance to make their appearance.

Staring down at the hand offered by the silverette, Qrow wasted little time before turning his back to the older male. Favoring the opportunity to use what little time they had left to prepare for the upcoming battle, rather than indulge in an exchange of pleasantries, the young man only briefly acknowledged his guildmate's existence with a mere sentence. "I'll be going ahead."


Right now, all that mattered was the arrival of the Raccoon Alliance. They had all been given designated areas and teammates by Athena Kandosii, leaving the rest of the planning up to them. While Qrow wasn't exactly ecstatic about receiving orders from the matriarch, he had little issue with his appointed station. He had already intended on facing this unknown Elite. His diverse use of Dragon Slayer magic and talent for strategy made him a suitable opponent for the Raccoon. However, the Fairy was less than satisfied when it came to those within his group.


First off, there was Velexus. From their earlier interaction, it had already been established that the man was a member of Fairy Tail as well. However, given that the two were unable to recognize each other, the mage was a newcomer. With a lack of information on his spells, it would be difficult to account for his behavior and skills.


Secondly, there was Klefa. Like the rest, the woman belonged to the destructive guild as well. Unlike, his other teammate, Qrow was knowledgable about the red-eyed girl, despite her short tenure. As an A-Class mage, it was proven that she had strength. Despite this, her shy personality wasn't suited for battle. Even if the purple-haired girl was able to put aside those traits, her magic abilities also brought issues.


Unlike a user of Maker Magic, Klefa was unable to create metal on her own, relying on the materials available in a given area. If the amount of usable metal was to be reduced, she would be placed at a disadvantage. As for her other ability, more problems were added. While this so-called "Rage Magic" was capable of boosting her abilities, the girl would become unpredictable in the process, possibly becoming more of a burden than anything.


Finally, there was Kono, his fellow Dragon Slayer and S-Class mage. Sharing the same title within the guild, the Fire-slayer's power was noteworthy. They were amongst the strongest in the guild and nobody could refute this. However, his fiery personality was a cause for concern. In addition, he had yet to see the white-haired man since he'd arrived in Pinnacle, a guaranteed appearance being questionable.


If it had been up to him, the raven would've paired the numerous Dragon Slayers in their vicinity with mages that were capable of using their corresponding elements. He felt that such a strategy was obvious, but the owner of the household had neglected to address this. Well, in the end, his input was irrelevant. The woman had made her decision and the time for discussion was over.


Carried the entire distance to the western wing of the manor by his thoughts, Qrow took the time to observe his surroundings. The first to stand out in the area were the sources of light. Eyeing each individual fixture that kept the wing illuminated, the young man made his way to each individual bulb and candle.


Running over the surface of transparent material and blotting out the various glows with bandaged hands, Qrow began repositioning or completely extinguishing whatever kept the room free of pure darkness. There was still time to prepare for the impending conflict, so even a tactic as simple as this would hold some value. The enemy was still an unknown mage, so it would be best to alter the setting to compliment his own abilities.


When everything was set into place, Qrow took in the noticeable silence, something that had been absent for quite awhile. Unlike many of those gathered here today, he felt no particular emotion. He was not scared, nor was he anxious to engage in battle. He no longer knew the meaning of fear and he had not experienced a thrill for such a situation in years. As always, he was calm and composed.


Sinking into one of the puddles of darkness casted by the luminous glass, Qrow's entire being was swallowed by a black void. Like his namesake, the young man kept a distance from others and observed his surroundings, waiting for an opportune moment to strike. In the veil of night that kept him invisible to the gaze of others, he acted similarly to that which he held power over. He was a shadow.


@Kai&\#039;zen Makaira

"Well, sorry to intrude on all yours meeting and stuff, but just to make myself known, I'm Donald Houns, or Dusty, which is my widespread nickname, and I'm the S-Class mage of Blue Pegasus. Well, one of them, at least."


Dakora reddened, quickly looking down from Dusty's wink. The earth dragon slayer seemed so calm and casual with everyone he met, something she admired.


"Oh, that's one of Vince's Communication Orbs. He gave them to Jacob to hand out to some mages here so everyone could keep in touch and give each other info. Apparently, you attach it to your skin or something and it uses the amount of magic you have to send thoughts and stuff. The less magic you have in you, the worse the signal, I guess."


A communication lacrima? She had seen one of these before now that she thought about it...on the back on some of the mage's necks. Slowly she lifted the orb to beck of her neck, attaching it where it wasn't in the way when she fought. Tilting her head side to side, it felt almost weightless"Oh, I see...What a great device. It's quite nice! I always wondered who created these things...a god it must be. " Dakora laughed, wincing at the thought of someone losing signal due to low magic-especially in a situation like this where everyone is split up to fight elite dark mages.


With a quite stare, she looked at Dusty 'Can....Can you hear me?' Dakora thought, feeling a bit silly at the moment.


"I need you two to work together and keep him distracted. If you see the chance to take him out, go for it, but you need to make sure he doesn't spot the rest of us. Don't do anything stupid either." Aedon instructed.


The pink haired mage broke her concentration, glancing with a bright at Aedon . "You almost act like we even had the intention of doing such a thing- being stupid in battle. Don't underestimate us- leader." Dakora hummed, focusing hard on her newly assigned role 'I suppose I can distract very well, there's no way he could catch me with my wind magic at my side...but if I make a mistake the others will be attacked..."\' she looked at the other members of their team "I'll do my best."





@Refaulted @CelticHero37

Of Men and Demons

Humans were truly amusing. It seemed for as much power as this woman possessed, for as much power as even the boy possessed that their understanding of their situation was so limited. Was it truly that hard to grasp.


“HAHAHA!!!” He cackled out loud as his hand grasped his chest and his dark face threw back to fully vocalize this amusement. “You simple humans are so...”


Taking a step towards her. “You cannot win here!!!” About this time the boy was teleported away by the girl after she verbally disowned him and started to charge up her strongest attack.


“Let me tell you how this will end. You will die, by my hand... but not before, you kill that boy. Hah Hah haha! That girl!” He pointed to Novus, “And that girl” He pointed to the female child. “Will die because of you”


At last the charge finished and with a last yell “HAAAAA” a Laser of death charged towards him. As fast as it traveled, he pulled his arm out infront of him as if holding something and with a blink, the boy appeared, being held by his head and hair as the laser ripped through his abdomen and the creatures.


Zac’s eyes were wide and nearly instantly blood poured from his mouth and the wound in his stomach. The lower half of his body barely being held together by the flesh of his sides. The monster cackled as Zac’s eyes rolled back in his head before being tossed to the side.


“Now I’ll take your body, you bitch...” As the whole in his chest started to heal and form out of pure darkness he took slow, elaborate steps towards Malda.


The Verge

Again the scene for Zac changed. He was kneeling on a beautifully smooth white granite floor. Its soft designs of gold and gunmetal decorated it like a wonderfully decorated piece of nature. His hands came down and touched the floor.


It was cool to the touch, yet warm feeling. How was that possible?


“Your emotions control this place Zaccaria.” A soft yet stern voice spoke from the bleak whiteness around him.


Zac furrowed his brows and anger rushed as the being called him by that name.


“That is not my name!” He yelled out.


“Yes, it is, Zaccaria. And now that your fright and sorrow have been purged by that woman, my voice can finally reach you.” The voice said. “I’ve waited years, speaking to you and guiding you yet never reaching you. You, Zaccaria...”

“NO IT ISN'T!!!!” Zac yelled out “I’M NOT ZACCA...”


From the sky, like a hammer of justice falling before Zac, A blue light, brighter than the bleak whiteness struck the ground, knocking Zac up and back. The ground cracked under the strain as if a demolition ball had hit and before Zac hit the ground again it charged towards him. A figure emerged from the light and grasped him around the neck holding him into the air.


His hands came around the armored wrist, trying to pull free but to no avail.


“Yes you are. If you do not accept this. You will die. Right now, you are here because you are on the brink of death. The choice you make, right here, right now will determine whether you live or die. Whether your new acquaintances live or die.”


Sitting the boy down on the stone, his faceless armor kneeled down on one knee, his hands upon this knee and his size so large that even in this position he stared straight at the boy who’s emotions blocked his judgment.


“I was bestowed upon you as a gift from your father. I am the reason that creature is inside you. I am the reason you are alive and I am the power that will grant you control. My voice fell upon deaf ears, but not anymore. Take my power and take back the power you earned for yourself.”


Zac just looked onwards, while confused, it all suddenly just made sense. All the events up til now made him who he was. It didn’t need to be understood, it simply needed to be accepted. He was given this power to save people, it was used for good, and only he could stop that creature as well as save his new guild and his new friends.


Closing his eyes. The world turned red again as he awoke back to the world with the creature.


Unfinished Business

As the monster lurched forward, it grunted maniacally as it came within range to kill Malda.


A soft blue glow began to embrace Zac as mostly translucent armor formed around his body. The wound in his chest rapidly healed and his objective finally became clear. As his head turned slowly from one side to the other he could see the girls. The poor child was unconscious but covered in magic by Novus and Novus herself was nearly unconscious from the impact. A plan formed in his mind.


“And now I will finish you.” Stopping in place, about twenty feet before her, a large magically blood red rune appeared around him, reinforced by three more circles as the intensity of the magic built.


With a blink of light, Zac appeared before Malda and the creature, setting down the child and Novus. He ignored Malda though, paying more attention to the injured girls first.


His hands glowed a light blue and seemed to drip liquid of some sort. taking both hands he closed his eyes and traced rune like designs on their foreheads a line across the bridge of their noses and on each side of their face. While he did this is appeared as if nothing went on their skin and finally Zac moved backwards just a little, back on both knees and placed his hand on their chests right on their sternum.


Quietly he opened his eyes and pushed down solidly. The designs he had drawn on lit up brightly in a strong neon sky blue color. It looked like their skin had been tattooed with the magic and suddenly as if their own bodies had absorbed the magic, it began to disappear, seeping into their skin.


Novus’ eyes shot open and she took in a huge deep breath, the wound on the back of her head having been healed and then, runic designs appeared down her body. Magical energy surged into her and she felt rejuvenated and maybe even a little younger again.


“You!!!...” The creature called out. “You cannot stop this attack, I will destroy you all! My rebirth is near!” As the circles condensed an eye searing light formed in the sky and in a flash, it came down in an epic explosion.


From Zac, a light burst from him and huge, angelic white wings appeared. Their size triumphant and reinforcing. Behind them a solid gold Runic Magic circle and above that a solid wall of condensed Holy Light Magic. The explosion did not reach them. In fact none of them would of felt anything because of this barrier but the creature would not be so lucky.


The explosion had the force of a bomb going of and Zac directed it towards him, blasting the creature away. It’s hand came up and it roared as it took the blast.


Turning his attention towards the little girl, something was different. Speaking in a nearly inaudible voice, he mumbled her name, with a slight smile at how pretty she was. “Adria...”


His hand came over and he carefully brushed her hair from her face. Her cheeks flushed and innocent. His hand came to rest on her cheek with his thumb under her eye. Taking his right hand he put it over her heart. They began to glow his pale blue. Runic symbols appeared all over her body, their design unlike anything any mage form this time had ever seen. They covered her and grow intensely bright until finally only one stood out; a design which appeared on her forehead and then appeared on his own forehead before fading and returning back to normal.


Taking his hands from her he finally looked up at Malda. “You were right. I was running from myself. I feared what I did and I only dwelled on the past and the mistakes a made, not the friends and accomplishments I had done. After this you may do with me as you please, but right now, in this moment,” He bowed his head, “I thank you for guiding me in a direction a thought not possible.”


Standing up now, he placed his hand over Adria and formed a barrier, then looked at both the sisters. “I need your help. I need to fight him and when there is an opening I need you to inhibit his movements, but you can’t damage him. Any damage you inflict on him, will inflict on me. We are... one and the same.”


Turning around, he took a few steps forward, and stared at the Creature before him. “I am, Zaccaria Banewither.” He said with a stern, straight, unwavering voice.


The creature laughed and then grunted. “You will die now.”


Both of them held their right hands out and in them formed their weapons. The creature's was Banewither, the sword from the real world, and in Zaccaria’s hand, formed a solid blue sword, nearly identical to Banewither.


“So you plan to fight me with a false Banewither?”


“The design is perfect and what I know. You will fall today and your power I will have and Banewither will once again be mine.”


“Just you try... Boy..."


Battle for Dominance

Crouching down slightly and swinging the sword back into place as to gain slashing momentum, Zaccaria launched himself with a blinding flash. Tearing up rock and stone from under his feet and in the center, where his blade met Banewither, the air tensed, sparks of magical energy clashed and a shock wave of condensed pure energy exploded from the two of them, hitting the sisters like a tornado.


The next series of strikes came swift and effectively, slicing wounds in both the creature and himself. He could not deal a fatal blow as he would effectively be killing himself. He only needed to create one opening and the demon was his.


@White Masquerade

Fermata reluctantly took Aedon’s hand. She could feel magic energy flowing into her and her hand tingled at the onslaught of power. While he was a complete douche, Fermata appreciated this. She was completely useless if she ran out of magic energy.


Aedon shut his eyes and let a small portion of his magic energy to flow through the interconnected wizards to supercharge their overall power. He was suddenly distracted by a scratching sound further down the hallway. The hollow sound of death wrenched in his ears. Based on the plans that had been made, Aedon deduced that the group was nowhere near the point of confrontation. This led him to a series of questions as he continued to charge the group, Lennix couldn’t physically pass through the enchantments if they were placed correctly. I have all faith that the enchantress did just what she had been asked to do. However, we never discussed the prospect of enemy magic passing through barriers. Perhaps this could be one of Lennix’s illusions. Yet I must see more before I make judgement.


With that, Aedon stopped the supercharge session and strided in the direction of the noise. Upon reaching an intersection in the hallway, Aedon could barely contain his laughter. The source of the noise had been a comically oversized skeleton walking against a wall as if in a videogame lacrima with horrible lag. Don’t be incapacitated with laugher Aedon. That’s when he’d strike. Yet, it is still possible this is not an illusion. I must investigate further.




Aedon stepped forward, tugging a red bowtie out of his coat pocket. His senses buzzed as he wrapped the bowtie around the skeleton’s neck. When the job was complete, he stepped back and smiled. “Alright guys. He’s cool. Fernota, take a look at him… I mean, you know. Just to make sure he’s not an illusion.”


“What?” Fermata questioned, following her friend. "Fernota? Really? Is that the best you can come up with…" She turned the corner, and stopped. “Aedon… is that a skeleton?”


Aedon nodded with a smile and knocked on the skeleton’s head. “You’re coming with us bud. An extra skeleton would really help.” With that Aedon continued his path down the hall. It was time to face Lennix.


Fermata turned to Aedon, raising an eyebrow. Were they really going to bring this random skeleton that they just stumbled upon with them? Fermata shrugged and smiled. “Sounds like a plan. This is going to be fun.” She smirkes at the skelton. Things were starting to get interesting.