Fantasy Shattered Fates: Renewal - A Dark Fantasy Boss Battling Epic

[The Suspicious Eye]

Taking a deep breath as the lost soul glared up at the monster's toothy grin she nodded. "Yes. This is how I feel. My name does not define me, nor what I can do. Take it." As the final words utter out of her mouth an invisible force twirled around in the shallow pool of her mind, reaching into the new depth that the wisp had only just discovered. Grabbing the memory, the wisp let out a audible whimper as the warmth and emotion it had once felt was pulled from its mind and vanished from its core. Leaving only a emptiness of what once was, before moments later closing up, as if it had never been opened in the first place. The lost souls mind returned to the shallow pool of knowledge that it had before. The soft rhythm of her song continuing in its mind, a little bit sadder than before, only to even out moments later.

Eyes fluttering as the monster's voice swelled in delight and its gnashing teeth came close to the wisps formless body. As the beast talked the lost soul wasn't sure what horrid thing it meant, but did feel a lightness that was strange. Trying to reach the source of this lightness the soul found nothing, and before further inspection the monster stopped it's strange laughter. Looking at it the wisp raised its head as the creature leaned back returning to its full height and pointed to one of the plinths at the end of the room. Taking a slight step to its side the wisp got a better view of what it was pointing at as it's voice creeped its last message.

Wait, next pain? As the thought shifted from the lost soul's mind to its mouth the creature was already gone, off to torment another wisp. If its formless face could hold an expression, it would be one of annoyance. Letting its wispy head roll back the soul let out a groan of annoyance, to cover up the tension and uneasiness finally leaving its shapeless form. Shaking its entire body of the nerves and tension that hooked within it, the wisp stepped forward, noticing a shift as it moved, its body was a bit lighter. The sounds of screams and crunching could be heard as more and more wisps were consumed. It shook the wisp to its core, causing it to stop a few steps in, but knew it had to move on. Closing its eyes and taking another step this lost soul moved forward and joined the others that passed the first twisted test.

Walking past the rubble of a world this lost soul did not know it arrived to meet the others. Glancing around this lost soul couldn't find the ability to call out to the others around it. Instead it turned its attention to the plinth, crouching down to inspect the unfamiliar carvings a slow mezzo-piano tune began to form in its mind and wrapping itself around the wisps essence. Running its amorphous hand across the grooves and protrusions it seemed so unnatural. Pulling its hand away the wisp pressed it against itself and sat there crouched deep in the music encompassing it.

As the last wisp to succeed arrived the beast took the group's attention with its gruesome snickering and made motions with its hands. Unsure what it mean the wisp watched as the others seemed to understand and cut themselves on the jagged point of a stone. Stepping forward this lost soul looked at its hand and mustering the courage inside itself sliced its palm open. The pale blood dripped down deep into the groves of the stone. As light began to blossom around it the lost soul heard a faint voice in the light, and then the stone crumbled to reveal a strange silver shard. Watching it float and turn to point at the lost soul, there wasn't a moment to react ast it pierced the very core of the wisp.

There was no pain, but instead a light that bloomed through its essence and began to fade from behind. Following this light to a stone where a silvered blade made of two pronged forks bending together to form a sharpened U-shape. With a ivory white grip and a intricate golden design on the pommel and crossguard the blade was breathtaking. Reaching a shaky hand to the handle the lost soul winced as numbness took over the wisp and a searing pain dancing across its body and burned deep within its left arm and took wings as it shot out up its shoulder. Screaming seemed far behind as the lost soul clenched the grip of its sword pale blood pouring out as the pain continued.

Once it subsided the wisp pulled the blade out with one quick motion and crouched to the ground. As the blade scraped from the stone a soft resonating pitch erupted out of the vibrating metal. Looking over at its left arm the lost soul noticed a swirling black scar that seemed to flutter and burn across the soul's arm as it stared deeper into it.

The humming voice seemed to grow as the lost soul, however it was hard to hear. The music in her mind, the vibrating pitch of her blade and the voice seemed to mesh, collide and make something together. As if the languages of each sound were merging together to create a, "Harmony."

Hearing the voice, no the name spoken out. Harmony's whole body grew even lighter as the ease of the name settled upon this lost soul. This was her name, a new name, but a name of its own. As the realization hit the lost soul the pain began to subside, ever so slightly till it was only a soft crackling against the skin. Getting back on her feet she felt a strength harmonize with all she was, is and will be. Looking over at the others, their names came to her one by one. Yet, how c-

Before she could finish her thought another pull took her attention and drew her closer to the center of the chamber. Gripping her sword tightly she began to walk towards the center, as the beast's eerie voice clawed into her mind yet again. Curious as to what it meant she continued, the blade softly singing as it vibrated across the air.

Reaching the center she looked onward at the bloody black best and felt contempt for the greedy creature. Noticing another, Niatiel, ask how the creature was she walked up behind her and voiced her own opinion. "Hopefully one of the others gave it indigestion." Inspecting the creature even closer she had to admit the beast looked awful, feeling a bit of guilt at the comment she moved on. Standing alongside the others Harmony held her blade in her bloody hand and waited for what was to come.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

it seemed to laugh, a genuine, soft laugh at the comment by the innocent little wisp, who asked if it was 'okay'.

"You... have a pure heart..." it whispered, "It is too late for me, I'm afraid. But you, I hope you will shine through on my last trial..."

It's elegant cantor betrayed it's deteriorated state, the sunken eyes and dripping mouth sputtering with each hollow 'breath'. It spoke again, rising above all of you, towering like a looming watchtower in the pale gloom. The disk-like platform seemed to have warped around you, the flowers almost in full bloom as all of you pass towards the center.

“Are you satisfied by what you saw? Perhaps not. The truth is often more... ugly than we'd like to believe... Those in your possession are the manifestations of your Might. Another Virtue. Yes, this is one you cannot do without. You can see them as your very ‘Souls’ given form. How pretty, some of your souls are, haha..." it snickered, hollow eyes glistening under the light of the silvered blades.

"To those with the 'Black Vessels', this the burden you will carry for the rest of your life... until cleansed and atoned... until you find Humility. But do not think that you require humility to become great and powerful. Just look at me… I am great. I am bestowed power beyond reality. But all the same, I am the embodiment of failure. Though not the same as you might think. Power comes in all forms… and nothing is more powerful than those dark things lurking within... Oh, how envious I am... to see it perfected in such a way... But alas, this is my own fate... The sin of Greed... haha... A monster who knew no bounds…"

Closing its eyes, "Learn from my mistake, yes?”

The snickering beast now sweeps the ground with an arm and you are all shoved back by powerful gust of wind. You find it odd. For once, the laughing stops.

“Now to prove you are worthy of your gifts... Prove to her, and I, the Desolate Judge. Show us the proof of your Will, the last virtue. For, how can a ‘hero’ change Fate if they’ve not the will to challenge the impossible, to rise above and break the conceptions of reality...? Allow me to demonstrate.”

Then, the beast lurches and groans, grabbing its sinew-like throat as it retched. It began slamming its sunken, dried chest, over and over, practically cracking the ribs underneath its own fist. The pale blood flowed seemingly uncontrollably now, dripping like a river from the jaws as the creature fell back upon the center stonework. It gazed to the dark abyss above with a sullen expression in its eyes. It spoke aloud for the first time here. The voice that rumbled from the throat of the dying creature was almost normal, graceful, completely different than the maddening whispering in your skulls before.

"Oh beloved and beguiling Nera... take these chosen souls I have reaped... and may their deeds redeem me... from this... insulating... eit.." It said in its final moments, shaking its shoulders as though snickering, the last words after turning into gargled coughs and gags as it slowly goes still. And there was nothing but silence.

For a moment, the flowers dimmed. But the dimming seemed to gyrate and variate, blinking slowly, surely, in a spiral around the arena. Like a wave had washed over them. Just then, a darkness flowed from the corpse, much like the smoke from a smoldering fire. The dead beast suddenly arches back, unleashing a roar that chills your very soul. Your weapons begin to react, filling you with a sense of dread. Both claws fanned out as the creature rose again, clutching, shaking as they dug deep between the cracks of the stonework. A deep red flickered to life in the hollow eyes, the dignified stance now replaced by a beastly crawl as the creature pushed itself up. The gangling form of the hollow-eyed beast judge, which stood at triple your size before now resembled a giant lanky wolf that bellowed with a constant cape of shadow.

Then, before you can even plan or speak to anyone, the monster lunges forth at a person. (The first person who replies.)

-- Those with silvered weapons will notice they are light and nimble. Perhaps this lightness will allow a greater degree of evasion than your other comrades. But you can tell, even at your uninhibited speed, the beast will easily catch you. So you must not face it alone. Also, you feel something else within the dread. Something is hidden away within these weapons, your Stigma calling to it. Resonating with it.

Maybe some concentration will bring this secret aspect out? Though be careful. You feel you may not be able to control it.

-- While those with blackened great weapons will feel slow, granted, but powerful. Too slow for a retaliation, but strong enough for a stalwart defense, perhaps? The dread you feel is different than those of the Silvered allies. The beastly weapons seemed to compel you almost, instilling you with an untapped might, as it urges, hungering for more spilt blood.

You sense an impatience. They might even move on their own, without your direct command, to protect you. Or defy you.

 

[Siren77]

While just moments earlier, Irosane felt nothing but disgust and hate for the beast. Viewing this display of sacrifice and lack of self will made him pity the monster just as the pure of heart whisp had, though not with the same intent or peace. The Beast spoke of will, to which the virtue resonated deep within his core as it was one of the things that he had clung thus far so that he might not falter. This monstrosity surely had a will, but Irosane viewed it as a will to ensnare it’s own suffering and to die. It smashes its chest in over and over again, the sound of tearing flesh and cracking ribs causing Iro to wince and cringe at the sight and sound. Is this the sort of torture this Goddess Nera has in store for them? Iro resented the idea, and refused to meet a similar fate to that of this self maimed animal. It’s mind was obviously so twisted, to the point that even after it was driven to madness and self destruction it praised her. Then it lie still, and Iro said a small prayer in his heart that this tortured soul would find peace.

His words must have fallen on deaf ears of course, as just as the beast was to lie still and seemingly perish it began to writhe and pulsate with jerking movements. The flowers in the room spin around the newly armed whisps, and Irosane clings tight to his weapon fearing the worst. A blood curdling roar erupted throughout the room, and now a new yet familiar Twisted Beast stood before them. It’s breath was ragged and it’s eyes yearning for bloodshed. As the whisp Irosane looked upon the Monsters vile red eyes, so to did his own briefly flicker with a tint of crimson before fading into nothingness once again. Despite the dread, the fear, and the urge to run Iro stood tall and prepared himself for the imminent combat to come.

He looked to his left and right to behold his companions, and found that though he’d never laid eyes on individuals such as these before he still knew their names almost by heart. The pure hearted one, Niatiel, stood to his right armed with a finely crafted dagger. And to his left was Mordred, a powerful looking knight armed with a sword and kite shield. Iro felt the urge to speak out to them, but the beast gave them no time to plan or react as it lunged for the smaller whisp to his right.

For a split second Irosane was clueless a to what could be done. Then, almost by pure instinct, the blade in his right hand dropped until his was grasping the chain, and he threw it hooked edge first toward Twisted Beasts gaping maw. In a surprising display of accuracy, the hooked blade embedded in the jaw of the monster and Irosane wasted no time in yanking downward and pulling with all of his might. This would prove to be more difficult that he imagined, as the strength of the beast was superior to his own and it was a mystery as to how he hadn’t been sent flying yet. Though it was a rash decision, he did so that he could take the beasts attention to himself in an effort to spare Niatiel of any such fate. Irosane would come to regret it of course, considering the heinous fact that now the demented soul was trained on him. Retrieving his blade, he backed off for a moment trying to keep his distance. The creature lunged, and Irosane swiftly kept the beast at bay with parries and strikes of his own. Despite having no experience whatsoever with the weapons in his hands, it felt so natural and easy to him. But he wouldn’t last forever and this was made evident by his newly developed body quickly becoming fatigued, which was quite irritating to say the least.

Turning to his left as he continued to battle on, he called to his whisp companions. “Niatiel, Mordred, some assistance would be much appreciated!”

 

[kasigi]

The beast displayed an unnerving sense of humanity, it's apparently lack of ill-will towards the wisp was surprising. To become such a vile abomination is something that none should ever hope to experience. It's life seemed to be in an existence of suffering and sorrow, why would it choose to live on in this state? One must not indulge in sin, for fear of becoming one like the beast. The power those heavy, monstrous weapons seemed to be put on a pedestal. The beast spoke as if something was trapped inside. Beings, those with power surpassing his own. The weapons seemed dangerous, something to be wary of, as if one of these beings were released into the world before them, Mordred believed it could be catastrophic. The beast's power on it's own was truly overwhelming in it's own right, though, as a single swipe of it's arm in the wisp's direction was enough to blow them back a few feet. The laughing disappearing allowed a deafening silence to ring in his ears before the beast once more spoke, allowing a pit to settle in his stomach. The virtue of will, the beast spoke of. The will to continue forward, Mordred had already decided that they would not die yet, it was not his time! To be put against all odds was a true test. The groaning and destruction of the beast's body was quite audible, as it slammed its fists against itself, bone's cracking and puncturing flesh. The life of the beast was going to reach the end, it seemed, as endless amounts of pale, white blood poured from the wounds that the beast itself was inflicting. It's mouth seemed to foam with the same blood, the life essence of the creature leaving at an alarming rate. The test had not begun just yet, he could feel it. It's last words were haunting, he had become so used to his mind being invaded with some sort of telepathic voice.. To hear it speak aloud made his spine shiver due to how different it was. The pity and sympathy he had felt caught him off-guard. Mordred allowed the creatures final words before it perished be remembered,

Morded watched as the flower seemed to flicker with light, forming a spiral shape as they went around, the glowing moving around the chamber they stood in. This only held his attention for a moment, as Mordred was alarmed by the darkness that seeped from the beast's now lifeless, limp body, engulfing the area that surrounded it. The shriek that the beast let out was even more alarming. It was alive? Had the only sanity it held on to finally left it's mind? No, it was dead, surely, there was no way it could have survived. The dread that washed over prompted him to ready his sword and shield, standing tall before the creature. This was the final test, it seemed, a battle against an impossible beast. He could feel the physical aggression that the now, somehow even more wretched and vile, beast seemed to emit from it's broken body. It grew, bigger, now ferocious with a lust for the blood of the wisps to be spilled.

He hadn't noticed the two wisps standing to his right until just now, both of which he had known the name of. Though, before he could say anything, the beast had lunged out toward the smaller wisp to his far right, Niatiel, though Irosane was quick to intercept. After hooking the beast in the jaw and backing off, the aggression of it was obviously trained towards Irosane, which would allow for a moment of offense for others nearby. Mordred had begun moving before Irosane had even made his request for assistance, running up to the side of the beast. "Foul beast, you will perish!" They had to kill it, surely, there was no other way, all of it's humanity had left. Mordred saw a brief opening, with Irosane drawing the beast's attention, he had slid under the beast momentarily holding his shield upwards towards the beast stomach while the sword in his hand moved across it's underbelly with a slashing motion. It did damage, but not enough. Though, this point was surely more vulnerable than the rest of the beast's body, continuous strikes would deal damage. "Those with small arms, direct your strikes to the beast's belly and eyes, those points will be it's weakest!" After striking it's underside a few times, he had swiftly moved out. It's attention seemed a bit dispersed, now, allowing Irosane to rest a bit. As the beast took a moment to direct it's attention toward's Mordred, he was able to block and generally avoid most strike's with the massive kite shield, though the beast's swings were incredibly powerful, he had to redirect the strike's energy rather than allow the shield to absorb all of it. "All, come forth and face the wretched being!" Mordred had shouted out, hoping for the rest of the companions to come to aid as well.

 

[Lekiel]

She leaned heavily onto her glaive, observing as the beast drew itself into its full dignified height against the gloom of the forever twilight. It spoke then, about Black Vessels and atonement, of finding humility and the perfection of powers made whole by fate and though it did not say her name, Brielle knew the scratchings of its whispers in her mind was for her. Her gaze fell upon the weapon of liquid obsidian clutched in her grasp. The umbral surface of its haft shifted as it were a vessel containing shadows, and she briefly wondered if that was how it got its namesake.

But as she pondered the irony of relying on its grounding support to bear the burdensome weight that it wrought, the maddening whispers and cackles abruptly disappeared. With a sweep of its wretched limbs, those gathered were suddenly swept backwards on unnatural winds. Then, right before her wondering eyes, the creature began ripping and pounding into itself. Forlorn cries followed. Ringing throughout the expanse, clear in its adoration for the goddess, coloured with deep grays and shades of supplication and lachrymose. The luminescent blooms dimmed and pulsed, seemingly tied to the waves of emotion that was released in the creature's passing. A final echoing snicker and strangled gurgle before all was still. The silence that followed bore a trepidation of dread that seemed louder than any twisted laughter. It drew her in, like a moth to a flame. Knowing that the brilliance bore the darkness of death, and yet seeking it out all the same. Brielle heard the pound of her lifebeat in wispy ears.

Eyes wide in expectation. It was close. So close. They were to be witnesses of a metamorphosis of astounding pulchritude. She felt a growing pulse in the blackened surface of her weapon. An awakening. A hungering. She cast her gaze sidelong, to Kietlav of the axe and shield. Her eyes were wide and gleaming with bated euphoria. Or perhaps madness.

"It thirsts... you feel it too?

Her sibilant whisper was quickly drowned out by a chilling roar that cut right through to her heart. She welcomed the chill, a tinge of a smile curling the edges of her lips as she saw the beast begin its frenzied attack.

Her other companions reacted swiftly. Trading blow for blow as they sought to prove themselves worthy of the strong-willed. Brielle lingered for a moment, seemingly entranced by the sight of the shadow wolf beast. She could feel the pull of her vessel, the glaive nearly leaped from her hands, though she somehow knew it would never leave her grasp. It egged her on. A single bloodshot eye appeared at the crest and stared unblinkingly at the woman. It beady gaze accusing her for withholding it from its desires. She began moving as the fight grew more harried. A warrior, Mordred, was shouting as he slashed at the beast's underside. But she was deaf to his bellowed cries. Moving in close felt foreign to her, but the vessel lusted for shadow blood, and she... desired to see its insides. Oh to know the powers that ran through its blackened veins!

And so, when the beast lunged distracted towards Mordred, she struck. Clutching the haft of the glaive, she pirouetted on her feet, building momentum as she twirled the heavy weapon about in an arching swing striking at the beast's exposed neck. Her arms trembled from the heavy strike, but Brielle knew not to tarry. Immediately drawing back and holding the weapon before her in case she was attacked.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Kietlav turned his eyes to those about him, realizing that the wretched weapon and shield spoke their names to his mind, a mental connection seemingly existing between himself in the fiend. He would ask of them their names later, as he did not need the Demon in the axe to act. The Demon did not control him, and like rain against the face of the mountain, he would endure against its will. The man reached down, brushing the tips of his fingers along the petals of the white flowers, blinking as he watched his mostly solid fingers gently move the flowers, feeling them against his fingertips. So soft... fragile. Feeling in of itself was good, Kietlav was certain. The black demon weapon in his axe, that wretched, obsidian thing, it would not sleep, and it would hunger, but Kietlav would resist its temptations, as he had resisted before. This world, dead as it was, was too precious for him to abandon himself to this demon.

Kietlav looked up at the beast as it spoke, confirming what Kietlav already suspected. The Demon would be with him permenantly, until he atoned. Kietlav did not know that word, but figured it was more nonsense about sinning and sacrifice. But, the creature claimed itself the Sin of Greed, and that they should learn from him. Kietlav took that to heart, figuring that abandoning himself to sin, and letting his resistance ebb, would result in such... disgrace and madness. As the Beast began to tear at itself, massive fists hammering against its own chest, the crack of its ribs sounding through the air like breaking glass, Kietlav rolled his shoulders. The warrior began to beat his axe against his shield, a solemn drumbeat to prepare himself for battle as he steadied his stance upon the cold stone, gritting his teeth. As the creature began to scream, Kietlav continued the beat, the old song of battle echoing in his head with startling familiarity. Perhaps once, there had been words to this song, though he could not remember them.

The warrior of winter turned his ice-hewn eyes to the woman beside him, clutching her own demon weapon. His eyes of pale blue were cold, and they hardened as he saw the strange light in hers. "I hear it, yes. But I am stronger than this Demon, and its thirsts shall not guide my strikes. You are stronger than this Demon too, be resilient against its will, be the mountain and stand against storm." Kietlav spoke slowly, but with a solid tone of voice, leaving each word to have its impact. He would not allow his few companions to so easily submit to their Demons, he would carry them all if he had to.

The red-eyed beast had changed, its last words gurgling out of its lips, Goddess this, Goddess that. No deities were here to carry them into battle, they would carry themselves, and on their own, they would survive.

The Beast lunged forward, its jaws parting like open doors as it bore down on the man with the chained together swords. Kietlav's feet moved instinctively, and the warrior charged forward, moving to the man's side as he threw his sword like a fishhook into its jaw. Kietlav charged the Beast down, and raised his shield high, swinging it in a diagonal arc at the side of the beast's head while the man had it hooked, a move intended to daze the creature. Kietlav had positioned himself so that he would be between the Beast and the man, stalwart and determined to let the Beast break upon his shield, the first test of his Will, which Kietlav believed he had aplenty. The Demon in his arms, although despised, seemed resilient. He would see just how resilient soon enough, when the creature retaliated.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

...

The creature blew like a whirlwind towards the fervent defenders, nearly tilting the whole arena as it kicked its hind legs. Its decrepit, hollowed eyes were aimed at the kind little wisp Juju , the one who spoke out in worry for the wretched being. A tinge of regret lined the wide maddened eyes, a fragment of emotion that flickered away in the black shroud that followed the creature relentlessly.

Irosane was the first to act. He moved to intercept its charge with a well-timed toss of his blade into its mouth, hoping to anchor the creature. A loud crack shot through the air, as the jaws snapped, narrowly missing the bold wisp as the creature was made to keel. The hooked blade sunk, the chains tugged taut like a fish-line, the weight of the creature nearly dragging Irosane off of his feet. He would've used a great amount of strength in order to pull off his maneuver, tiring himself out much more than usual. The sound of creaking and cracking as bones were adjusted and pulled from joints and sockets would bring chills to anyone who found unnatural and jerky movements unsettling. The creature unwound like a corkscrew, the head, having bent at nearly a 90 degree angle to the left, quickly snapping back into forward position with a wet snap and plop. It snickered as it eyed Irosane. The attack did no do any damage, but the charge was stopped nonetheless. With a grumbling, gurgling hiss, it swung its claw upwards, tearing stone and dirt and grass in a fearsome show of ferocity.

Pouncing left and right, the shadowed cape of smoke tugged through the air as it lunged at the new target. The attacks were quick, but luckily, Irosane was just as quick.

For a moment. The effects of straining himself to yield the creature can be seen after just a few slight seconds.

If not for the fact that Mordred plunged a blade into its underside, it was inevitable that he would be caught in the flurry of bites and claws. He was right to aim for the softer areas, as it seemed the attack from Irosane earlier did little but nick the bone and leave a small scratch on its exposed, flesh-flayed skull. The creature snickered as the blade entered its softer underbelly, shuddering in ecstasy or pain, it was difficult to tell, spilling a black sludge from the lacerated pale-rot flesh. The befouled blood would've felt cold and slick, difficult to wipe off. His sword hand would've been drenched. And while freeing the blade, some would have spilled inadvertently onto the ground.

This was the last bit of observation Mordred was able to gather before the creature retaliated. He grip seemed loosened from his sword handle, but he would be able to keep the weapon from flying from his hand. So long as he kept controlled -- And in control he was, parrying and deflecting attacks with lithe silvered shield and sword. He was wise to divert the overwhelming force, practically guarding his dodges and weaves with fluid, skillful movements. All the while, weaving attacks into the pivoting defense.

To his call, another wisp, this one named 'Vystari', rushed into the battle, attacking the nimble creature with her pale long-sword. The weapon seemed to have a unique hand-guard, the blade melted down around her hands in a curling lick.

The judge-beast met them all with a snickering hiss.

The two leading the attack, Irosane and Mordred, would work in almost innate harmony to divide its attacks, each effectively reducing its offense by a noticeable factor. If not for the agile head jerking back and forth, threatening to rip a chunk of flesh, maybe an arm or leg, the two wisps appeared to be holding it back. It almost seemed like they had done something to this effect this before. Perhaps, in a past life.

Vystari seemed aggressive, attacking and slashing at any opportunity, using her speed and smaller frame to her advantage.

While the attacks from the three silver-bladed wisps were quick and accurate, piercing belly and loose muscle, they were not able to make great effect on damaging the creature. The monster seemed to show no signs of slowing down, despite the dozens of clean cuts. With each narrow cut, black oil-like blood spilled and splattered.

-- Black blood now soaked the ground around them, covering a large portion of the west side of the floating platform.

Perhaps the attacks would eventually add up to something significant, if they kept up the tri-prong barrage. But it wouldn't be so easy. The two were already beginning to feel the weight of battle in their chests. Barely a minute had struck. But it seemed keeping up with the beast, divided as its attacks were, was already pushing their limits. Irosane felt this fatigue more so than Mordred. And they can see that Vystari was breathing heavier as well. A sheen of pale white can be seen running down her bare side. A dribbling of fresh pale blood.

Still, the pink-haired wisp manages a confident smirk at the two, wiping the blood away as she steps back from a fast swipe. "Don't worry about me." rearing her blade overhead, "I ain't scare of blood anymore after what we've seen!"

Regardless, the flurry of silver continued in impressive display, with sparks of metal shining in the darkness of this nightmarish fragment of reality. But with a snap, the creature was able to take advantage of the slower of the three. Slightly, but just enough -- the wisp, Irosane, would find a lapse in his steps. A long, narrow claw, from the left hand shot through the air in the opening of his deft dodges and attacks and made way towards his chest.

It seemed doomed for the poor wisp, until Kietlav and Brielle joined the assault. Though slower, Kietlav barreled forward in the style of a brave time-worn vanguard, shield raised upright to meet the tide of battle head-on. The huge teeth bored into the shield, nearly pushing Kietlav onto the ground, if not for a sudden rush of strength from the weapon itself. For a moment, he heard a distant voice. Then, the shield lurched to life, splitting into a harrowing, bubbling maw. It snapped down on the flailing tongue tucked inside the opened mouth of the monster. It squeezed and yanked him forward, pushing for more bites into supple vernacular treat within the decayed skull. His attack with the hand axe would be negated by the fact that he would now require both arms to hold steady the living-shield. His legs, back, arms, everything would feel an immense weight, from the weapon that was feasting and of the beast that yelped and roared, beginning to swing wildly to break free. But he would hold firm, somehow.

No, maybe it would seem strange to those on the outside, however, he knew why. He could feel it biting down on his wrist.

Spoiler: Kietlav's POV

The Black Vessel springing to life seemed to pay a toll on his energy, drawing blood and sapped essence through the chain to grant him and itself this unnatural power. It was a great boon of strength, but he can already feel his vision becoming hazy. However, soon enough, he was back in control. The draining connection between him and weapon would be severed. He could feel it waiting again -- waiting to be unleashed. But there was a danger. In his weakened state, the tugging was stronger than before. Who knows how many more times he can invoke the power in a row before he would be unable to resist the Black Vessels' urging call.

Brielle would come into the flank with her great weapon to the occupied beast, approaching close to the wolf-like monster in almost a blood-crazed trance. She raised her weapon for the neck, but was stopped short as the beast ripped from the vicious grip of Kietlav's shield, splattering the warrior with fresh oily blood. The shield seemed satisfied enough, chewing through the leftover pale-nub with a almost audible sigh. Uncaring about the fact that its owner was was soaked in the smelly, rancid liquid. While Brielle's hefting swing missed its intended target, the long gnarled edge of the blade managed to cleave down and catch the side of its skull as it moved to escape.

The beast reeled backwards from the attack, a rush of blood pouring from a caving dent on the side of the thick flesh-draped bone.

Spoiler: Brielle's POV

Her Black Vessel hissed angrily at the miss opportunity to be bathed, the eye starting at her accusingly. Brielle can feel the long, lumpy handle vibrate and shiver, as though whimpering and on the edge to throw a tantrum. She can almost hear words, a fierce command that came from the deepest parts of her mind. Though she did not understand, she can somehow feel the meaning. It wanted to be free. To show her the power hidden within. So long as she would pay the price. But seeing how breathless Kietlav's black vessel rendered him, she would be left with the question. Was it worth it?

Unleashing a deep yelp, it stepped back for once in its wild onslaught. Glaring at the five attackers, it hissed and shook, clearly disorientated from the blow. Black blood flowed readily.
Apparently realizing its situation, the creature jumped back a distance and rose to its hinds legs. It bellowed a shuddering roar. The shrieking sound was a long and hollow scream that struck all of the attackers, appearing to immobilize and daze those caught in its primary arc. A rush of whispers would fill the minds of those under the influence of the direct scream, the words battering, cursing, tossing around in your mind. The black smog cloak swept out down and upwards behind the beast, wrapping around the beast as though influenced by its painful cry.

The indistinguishable blabbering and hissing seemed to speak of something. The dimmed pale flowers around the arena flickered in response to the dark-tongue, heating up like small flames. Notably the ones covered in black blood, which began to shiver and release flowing dark haze.

...

 

[The Suspicious Eye]

Listening to the creature elegantly speak as it was on its last legs was hard to look at. Let alone hard to listen to as the monster's ragged breathing coiled in her mind. Watching it rise above them, she clenched her blade a bit tighter, feeling a bit stronger with a actual weapon by her side. Stepping forward she noticed the blooming flowers encompassing her peripheral sight and wondered what was to come next. As the thought crossed her mind the monster's voice clawed back into her head as it spoke. Manifestation of my might? Glancing down at her sword she tilted it around in her hand and inspected the softly humming blade. As the monster laughed she turned her eyes back to it, only to see the monster staring down at her with it's hollowed eyes, it sent shivers down Harmony's spine. Listening to the creature continue she only was more confused, will? What is this? With a fell swoop the monster pushed them all back with its claws. Sliding back as the powerful gust of the monsters claws came whipping at her, "hey!!" She called out only to stop as she watched the beast seemingly changed into this gruesome new thing that caused Harmony to quickly move further back in defense, no in fear.

Harmony felt a searing pain shock through her left arm. Gripping it tightly her eyes trailed down her arm and towards the shining silvery blade. Vibrating softly from the movement, dread seeped from the blade and filled her shadowy figure. It was stifling, as if chains had encompassed her form and pulled down towards the blade. Trying to will herself to move through the dread she couldn't lift her freet from the misted flower field. Pain and dread swelling throughout her it was hard to push it away, she didn't want to feel this. The sound of battle pulled her back to the present as she saw the others fighting against the coiling beast. I have to do something. The pain in her arm burned as she clenched the sword tightly. I can't be this useless. The dread shimmered and stabbed at the form as she contemplated it all. I don't think I can shake this. The blade shook in her trembling hand as she began to will herself forward. I have to move, even feeling like this.

Taking her first step she felt lighter, the dread still there but no long weighing her down. Taking another step and another the dread harmonized with her body as she began to dash around towards the eastern flank of the beast. Noticing the blacked blood staining the western flank she decided to try to flank the beast. The silvered blade dragging behind her, it sliced through the flowers leaving a trail of petals to fly up behind her. As the blade bounced against the platform it began to quickly vibrate a inaudible tone. Making a wide round she watched as the creature leapt back to its hind legs and let out a wail in pain. Wincing at the remains of the booming sound, it gave a slight smile to the wispy face of the soul she moved her right arm to hold her sword steady as she lowered herself and dashed towards the injured beast. Taking a view of the field, she glanced at the others who were in front of the attack she noticed that they seemed a bit stunned and she knew that she had to attack now to give them some time to come out of it.

Focusing on the beast she gripped her blade and dashed into its range. She wouldn't have a lot of time, or strength, but hopefully it was enough to buy the others a chance to recover. Reaching the beast she quickly swung her vibrating blade at the malformed leg of the creature. "They're not the only ones you should be fighting!"

 

[Juju]

Nia nodded sadly at the Judge's whispered words and looked down. She'd try to be strong... for her friends, and the creature.

When it spoke of the cursed blackened vessels she couldn't help but glance at the souls who carried the shadowy weapons. Could they turn into such a corrupted being as well? Upon instinct she pulled her dagger, this manifestation of her Might, close to her chest. The cool solidity of the metal against her unrefined form was strangely soothing. We'll help them, she reassured herself with naive confidence. Even if we can't help you, Judge.

Then the creature fell and by instinct she ran forward, only to suddenly stop in her tracks. Something was terribly wrong. In horror she watched as it smashed its chest in with a twisted fist, over and over again until it moved no more. Why? Why did it have to suffer so much? Niatiel stood shivering as she stared at the broken husk, unable to tear her gaze from the tragic sight. In its last moments it had spoken of redemption, and to that Nia wished them peace.

But something changed after it grew still. Something had found it, but it wasn't peace. The flowers flowed in a dark swirl, flickering like candles against wind. It was beautiful, yet chillingly ominous. She didn't have much time to think about the dark omen before a howl split the air and a shadow stirred in the edge of her vision. She looked up to see The Judge rise once more, except it wasn't them, not the fragment of humanity that had resurfaced. She knew it in the depths of her being, in the dread seething from her dagger. It washed over her like a wave, holding her still, and before she knew it the beast was upon her, toothy jaws stretched wide to tear her apart. She swore she saw sadness in it's eyes, before it was drowned out by darkness. It was amazing how much detail one could pick up when it was their last sight.

Then came a flash of silver and a crack of bone as the gruesome jaws suddenly changed its course. "Irosane!?" Niatiel shouted in surprise and relief.

She held her dagger and looked helplessly as the others rushed into battle, watched the back blood pour from every wound, listened at the sound of bone against steel. Suddenly Niatiel held her head, screwing her eyes as if in pain. No...I don't want to fight. I don't want to fight. I don't want to kill. I don't...Why does it always end like this? She whimpered pitifully. All of it was pitiful, and selfish too, she realized. Irosane, Mordred, Brielle, Keitlav, all of them had put themselves on the line while she stood here. Maybe she didn't want to fight, but there was something she desired more. These souls did not need to die, especially for her. If Irosane didn't give up on her when doom was closing in than what right did she have to shy away? She had to help them.

She looked at the dagger in her hands. How could something so small do anything when the weapons of her friends hardly seemed to make the beast flinch. It didn't matter, she had to try. It was all she could do. The creature's roar pierced the air, immobilizing the souls near it. However, Nia and a few others on the fringes seemed to still be able to act. One of which bravely faced the beast alone, but it wouldn't be for long.

There were only two other souls who had not joined the battle yet. She ran up to the nearest one, a woman with a wide-brimmed hat and a grisly scythe. "We have to help them! Kyo, please!" she begged, tugging on the woman's arm as if to drag her. Nia looked up at the woman, noticing an eye-patch that looked both shocking and familiar. Didn't Mordred mention going for its eyes? If the beast couldn't see them then it couldn't use its speed to full effect! "I... have an idea but I need you to distract the beast with Harmony! If you can keep it still for a moment then I can try to take out its vision!"

[ seasonedcat AUNTIE KYO PLS HELP MEH! TwT]

If all went well both she and Kyo would make a charge for the rearing beast, whom at that point was probably attacking Harmony. If Kyo didn't move, well, Nia would just have to try her luck alone. But if Kyo had joined, as she had faith she would, she'd wait until Kyo had gained its attention, so while it was looking away she could put her nimbleness to use and jump onto its back (or really anywhere she could reach). From there, well, she'd have to hope a creature of that size would hardly notice her crawl up its mane to get to its deformed head. Otherwise she'd have to hold on tight. Nia didn't even want to think of how many things could go wrong, but if she made it there she'd give it her all, bringing down her dagger into one of its eyes, calling out to the power within. She may not be able to take out both its eyes, but she would make the one wound count.

 

[seasonedcat]

Kyo didn't bother joining the fight at all, the others could handle it while she just sat here resting her eyes. She sat there contently for a while, blocking out the loud noises near her when suddenly someone grabbed her arm. She opened her eye and lazily stared at Niatiel. At her cries for assistance in aiding the beast Kyo became aware on how everyone seemed to be struggling to beat it, and in fact were currently stunned from something, probably the loud roar she heard earlier.

Kyo let out an annoyed sigh, knowing that she would have to help. If she didn't it risked the chance of them all dying and having to face the beast by herself, that would be a lot more annoying than just being a distraction for a brief moment before returning to her spot against the wall. Rubbing her neck she rose, grabbing her scythe as she did so. She noticed another attacking the beast, using this as a chance to enter the battle easier she moved around it's back in quick strides, as quick as she could be with the huge scythe, to the other side of it's head.

Once she reached there she gripped her scythe in both hands and sliced at the back of it's neck as it stared at the other attacker. In her hope this would cause the beast to turn and look at her, not only taking the heat off of Harmony, but also giving Nia the chance she needed to do what she wanted to. She just hoped this wasn't going to cause her any injury or even worse some form of poison. To be honest she had no idea what it does she didn't watch any of the fight after all. She just hoped there wasn't anything it could do that she wouldn't expect. That it was just a normal monster... well as normal as monsters get. :|

 

[Euclid Leaf]

...

Spoiler: Harmony's POV

The vibration was no trick on the mind, a false delusion to carry Harmony through the fear that had wound around her very ankles, locking her in place. The silvered blade hummed and shook with a deep, visible after image that anyone who was looking could clearly see. It was magic. But from where? Only she could feel it. The force coursing, like a building cacophony within. Some sort of power was being stirred awake inside, as the Stigma called out to Harmony. She could hear a distant lullaby, and within the melody, a strange dissonant note, a dull, yet agonizing tri-tone. It was painful, but perhaps she ignored it to focus on coming to the aid of her allies.

She would have felt a coldness seep down from the Stigma, a deep coldness that burned and lingered as it swelled into her sword-hand. The same, she felt, she knew, to be the strange type of magic that the Goddess used when she pushed them all through the fabric of worlds. The dread and fear, all of the doubt she thought she felt quickly melded away as she found her resolve. It was almost felt like someone was there with Harmony, holding her hand as though guiding the power into her blade. Whether she noticed this or not, she was already moving across the dark arena.

The floating pillars above illuminated her faint shadow as she darted like a bolt towards the Eastern portion. Each note as her blade battered against the ground seemed to build more and more power. Was this something she had done before? It felt so natural, so instinctual.

As the beast focused on its dreadful roar, evoking some sort of energy from the pale flowers, it was too busy to stop Harmony.

But the shadow that followed the beast lashed out, with a will of its own. The spiraling smoke gathered in the air from the pollinating white lilies suddenly sucked in and unleashed in a strong gale towards her direction.

At once, her body and mind began to be stricken by a sickening sensation.

--Harmony was now being affected by the Manifestation of Dread.

Harmony would begin to cough and wheeze, effected by the vicious black haze that currently invaded her body. She would begin to lose strength as a lingering pain built up within her. But suddenly, just as she felt the world around her fade away, the judge-beast yelped in agony. Kyo had entered the fray, joining in from the other flank. Her black, twisted scythe entered the neck of the beast and sunk deep into the black and white sinew. Blood erupted from the wound, sending the creature reeling. This caused the smoke to shudder angrily, as though reacting to the pain of its master. The black force spiraling outwards and around to focus on Kyo instead.

--The Manifestation of Dread now targets Kyo.

The dreadful feeling that sapped Harmony's strength quickly faded away. It would appear the dark force which protected the wolf, wasn't able to divert and act upon two fronts at once.

Due to the support of her allies, Harmony was free to complete her action. Once again, the dissonant note rang deep in her head. And she let it loose. The power stored within the silvered fork-like sword exploded on contact and the leg was nearly ripped in two as a gust of air, sound, and light blasted forth.

But it was far more power than she anticipated. That dull, irritable note that played in her head continued, as the light and sound from her blade echoed louder and louder. Before she knew it, Harmony was sent the opposite direction.

While the plants were in full bloom in the middle of the arena, at the edges, there was barely any light at all. Harmony can be seen airborne one moment and then, all of a sudden, she was lost to the darkness beyond. Had she fallen off?

Spoiler: Harmony's POV

She had not fallen, but she was definitely hanging on the edge. Half her body was dangling from the stonework, draped off the side like a pale root. From her spot, she can see off the side into the abyss that held the large round-disk of stone and moss. There was nothing. Quite literally.

It was harrowing to come to face with the fact that there was no other option. No escape. They would have to kill the beast, or be lost in this desolate place. Even death seemed like a greater merc than being stuck in this place of utter isolation and desolation for any long period of time. As she clung off the side, the very Stigma that gave her strength was beginning to spread a distinct coldness. The lulling, the vibration and lullaby had faded from her ears. She would feel numb, her muscles, starting from the point where the Stigma was located, would gradually lose feeling and strength. Soon she would fall. And who knows how far she would go before, well, something happened to her. If the judge-beast was who welcomed them, it's probably best not to imagine what kind of nightmare lurked below.

Meanwhile, the creature let out a shrill, annoyed snarl, falling down onto its remaining legs as it slammed a claw down to hold itself upright. It glared at Kyo, who interrupted its attack.

-- Those affected by the scream are now freed. But it would take a moment before they can recover fully from the dazing scream, both mentally and physically.

But not for Kyo, who was under the full fury of the dark entity that now wrapped around her. Just like it had done to Harmony, the dreaded essence began to sap the very life from her body. She would be unable to act until its influence was abated.

The beast laughed, as it turned towards its captive. A curious and contradicting reaction to the sheer amount of pain it surely must have felt. The creature was now limping, its left hind leg hanging, if only barely, off its rotten side. The great beast appeared almost pitiful now, as it scrambled, shuddering, sniffling, to remain upright. The two clawed hangs dug into the ground as it gaze down at Kyo, cracking the stone around her. Not only was her body being affected by the vile contagion, she was trapped between in a beastly cage. It opened its mouth, now an overflowing pool of black blood that dribbled down around. The foul scent that rolled out would churn and upset her very soul.

And just for a moment, she came face to face with the outstretched teeth once more. But this time, she had a feeling that the creature wasn't playing games with them anymore. The rage, maddening fury in its eyes made clear of this fact.

Then, when it seemed like she would breathe her last breath, right out of the corner of her vision came a small horned figure. One armed with a small silvered dagger. It was Niatiel. Her plan had worked. The creature was too preoccupied to notice the little one hop onto its back and had been climbing up its hairy side this whole time. Though her face was drenched in worry and conflicted emotions, she raised the dagger and plunged it into the very eye that gazed at Kyo.

It let out a deep, ear-splitting roar, splattering blood everywhere as it reeled in agony. It lurched up, digging a claw into the small figure and tossed her down on the ground before leaping up into the darkness above, disappearing into the shadows projected by the stone pillars floating high above.

Who knows what it is planning next...

-- Niatiel would suffer a moderate wound, and left bleeding. [Feel free to choose where the claw had entered.]

...

 

[Juju]

Niatiel loved her silvered weapon, and every gift she had received with it, but at that moment she only wanted to throw it away. The ease at which it sliced through flesh and nerve sent a chill crawling up her spine and left a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I'm sorry!" she gasped, her words drowned out by the creature's pained howls. Even if it was a monster, she couldn't help but wonder if the true soul was trapped somewhere under all that dark. It was a moment of hesitation, but it was enough.

Pain shot through her side as the creature's claw dug into her wispy form, causing her to cry out in pain. With little more than a flick of its paw Niatiel was send tumbling across the mossy stone, leaving behind a smattering of pale blood with each bounce until the little wisp finally skidded gracelessly to a halt. Her eyes took a moment to refocus, but she managed to glimpse the blackened beast leap upwards to disappear among the pillars looming above. Maybe it was retreating?

The wisp tried to pull herself into a sitting position but the sharp bite of the open wound caused her to flinch with a whimper. She pressed both of her hands over the gouge in an effort to stem the pale tide, thin rivulets of blood running between her fingers until they were warm and slick. She doubled over, trying her best to keep pressure on her side even if it hurt.

For a brief moment she lifted up her head and saw Kyo and the others recovering. Somehow that simple fact made the pain seem less overwhelming. She had only just met these people but strangely it felt as if she had already known them for a lifetime. They would defeat the beast, she knew it. She gave a weary smile and let out a breath. The others were okay, Kyo had been saved from the beast and Harmony... wait, where was she? Panic swelled up in Nia's throat, making her eyes bright with a fearful light. "Harmony!?" She coughed, "Where's Harmony?"

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

The storm of battle raised upon the ancient stone arena as the wisps threw themselves at the wretched shadowy beast. Kietlav however, had bigger problems to deal with, even as some of his comrades took blows, or scored grievous wounds on the creature. Kietlav's demon had a will of its own, and the shield had become a ravenous maw in his grasp! Kietlav dug his heels in and attempted to tear the shield from its grasp on the monster, to prevent himself from being flung around like a rag doll, while it sprayed its black blood over him. Kietlav grit his teeth, feeling the pain in his arms as the creature fed on him for its strength, struggling against it for a few low, agonizing moments before his resolve hardened. As the shield released its grasp on the beast, Kietlav stepped back, his expression that of cold iron. The warrior got down onto a knee, and slammed the shield onto the ground with all the strength he could muster, the resulting sound proving pleasing to his ears.

"Weapon, you are mine. Less biting, more blocking hits, yes?" Kietlav demanded of the demon, before standing again with new realization. In the few moments he had been down, it had seemed that the whole of the battle had changed about him. He looked up, just in time for the creature to let out a skull-rattling shriek as he was set upon by agony, and fell back to his knee, letting his axe slip from his grasp as he brought a hand to his temple, teeth grit. Voices and pain, always, it seemed. The warrior wondered rather darkly whether or not he'd have a moment of silence in his head for once, with all the memories and whispering going on, but it seemed that was not to be.

Before Kietlav knew it, the worst effects of the scream had past, and the battle was on once more as he forced himself to his feet, eyeing the sickly, oozing black smoke emanating from the Beast, and billowing around the arena. Harmony was gone, Kyo was engulfed in smog and held before the creature, seemingly in dire need of help, that was until Niatiel carved out the thing's eye, which surprised even Kietlav. He did not think the antlered one had it in her to be so violent, from the way she seemed to pity even the Beast, a sentiment Kietlav did not share. Although the creature was wounded and pathetic, it was still a dangerous abomination and had to be destroyed. No matter what it had once been, the thing was trying to kill them, and Kietlav would try to kill it first.

Niatiel took a wound, and Kietlav realized that the fight was not going so much in their favor, as many were wounded. Kietlav stood to his full height, prepared to prevent any more harm from befalling his teammates, and charged towards the beast, his feet faling upon the ground like a distant thunder, his axe raised, as he... watched the beast jump up into shadow and dissappear.

Kietlav came to a stop, lowering his weapon, but keeping the shield raised, to protect anyone near him, and himself. "Keep your head on and come to me, he'll come for one alone!" the warrior cried out, realizing the Beast was little more than a wounded animal right now, an oversized wolf that was determined to get the kill. He grimaced, still feeling the pain in his head and limbs from the psychic scream, but was determined to stand and fight regardless. He would not die on the ground, overwhelmed by pain. He'd at least die standing, overwhelmed by pain.

 

[kasigi]

The sickening blood that filled the arena's floor was vile and terrible. Not to mention, it had covered his sword and hand, the smell harassing his nostrils while the thick blood dripped from exposed skin. The feeling itself was one that could make anyone vomit. Mordred felt that his efforts were worth the reward of dark blood, though, drawing attention away from others, even if it was only momentary. While from his own attacks the beast showed no obvious signs of hurting, the amount of blood pouring from it's mangled stomach said otherwise. His blade was not enough, though, the darkened, demonic weapons were what would do major damage to the creature. Fending off the beast's advances towards him, all he could he was defend against the onslaught, giving minor gashes and wounds to the creature whenever an opening came forth. With the help of the other silver bladed warriors, the beast seemed to grow at least a little bit irritated at it's inability to get a proper, solid hit in. It was thirsty for blood, it wanted death.

They could only hold on the defense for so long, Mordred could feel his own stamina withering every time the beast's massive claws were parried. While he could still hold on for a bit longer, he worried about the other two. Vystari's quick little remark was the truth. To gaze upon the beast's physical form seemed to mentally prepare Mordred for anything else that would show itself. "Oh, how right you are!" He said, his voice wavering as shield made contact with the beast's offense once more.

Just for a moment, he thought it would be the end of Irosane. He could not reach to the beast's attack in time, the fatigue appeared to have gotten to him. Though, relief washed over him as he saw another shield meet the beast. This living weapon seemed to want to quench it's own thirst for blood as well, unsettling crunching and the sound of flesh being chewed being quite audible from the shield. Mordred had taken a step back, watching as the darkened weapons went to work, with Brielle's hit connecting and stunning the beast, a smile spread across Mordred's face. "Unholy creature, your life is welcome no longer!" Right after he had shouted out, the beast let out a shattering shriek that pounded his eardrums, heavily disorienting him as the whispers raided his mind and spoke to him. He shouted out in distraught, the whispers brought him pain. In this stunned state, he noticed the gaseous haze that began to form from the flowers. He could immediately tell that things were about to get more difficult.

He attempted to recover from the howl, though it took a few moments to recollect himself. As he attempted to come to his senses, he had noticed that even more of the wisps had joined the effort, attacking the creature, which continued to take more and more damage. It was working, the creature was getting more and more sluggish, it was beginning to be in their favor. Especially as he saw the creature's leg practically be turned to mush due to Harmony's efforts, reeling back at the explosive attack. Harmony appeared to have disappeared from sight within a moment, though. Mordred brought himself up, properly to his feet. The shriek still dwelled in his mind, whispers pounding into his thoughts, it gave him a major headache. Mordred wanted to join the fight one more as he saw Niatiel do as he had suggested: going for the weak points, the creature's eyes! Now with it's vision somewhat impaired, along with it's leg, the battle continued to turn to their favor. Mordred began to get on the move once more, running over to the beast from where he was, planning to rejoin the fight. Even so, it proved difficult, as he was still somewhat dazed. He had only made it a few steps before the creature had darted up into the darkness above. "The beast flees! Do NOT SEPARATE!" Mordred shouted, letting out a deep bellow. He held his sword and shield at the ready, a grimace plastered upon his face. "Stay close, it prepares to attack!"

 

[Euclid Leaf]

...

Vystari was breathing hard, crumpled underneath the scream with a pained face like a flowering about to be uprooted by the relentless gust of a hurricane. Through squeezed eyes, she saw the beast preparing to unleash something horrible. The soft-lilies that crowded around her feet seemed alert once more. It was as if the flowers around the arena were driven the by the energy that flowed from the beast. The smoke of the glittering pale glowers nearly suffocated her as she fought to remain conscious from the force of the shrieking monster. She choked and coughed, a long string of drool dragging down her pursed lips. Vystari could only imagine how the others around her felt, seeing their pained expressions. She wanted to call out, as if it would help somehow. She grit her teeth and yelled back, letting out a shrill, barely audible scream.

Out of spite and defiance if anything. Maybe it would do something. Anything.

Her eyes were forced shut the last remaining moments, so when there was a sudden lift of the painful voice that wrestled inside her mind, Vystari looked up to see her saviors assailing the beast. Kyo, Niatiel, and Harmony. She owed them for freeing her from this suffering.

She reached for her blade, her hand wavering from the residual pain. Vystari looked determined to go and join the battle, to lay rest this horrid nightmare and beast. But her heart sank when she watched Harmony get blown away, by... her own attack? She wasn't sure what it was. It was too blinding to see properly. But just like that, the faint shadow that had been flung overhead was gone. Then, to make matters worse, the ravaging beast seized Niatiel and tossed her down the center of the arena. Her heart stopped still when she saw it. Blood. She could see the pale liquid clearly. For some reason, she felt fear. A deep and hollow feeling. Fear worse than the pain that gripped her side as she fought to stand upright.

The skinny girl pushed her numbed body up and over the dried ground and through the building black dust that lingered in the air.

"Nia... Niatiel...!"

She called out to Niatiel, using her blade as a cane for the first few steps as she fought to contain the violent vibrations that afflicted her limbs. Dropping beside the small horned girl, she grasped her hand tight her own. The pair of bright pink eyes gazed over the bleeding girl, panic beginning to take in Vystari's expression and voice.

"H-hush now... Worry about yourself first, will you?" she mutters, trying to remain calm.

Not even the dimly lit surroundings were able to fully hide the gleam in her eyes, nor was she able to fully cover up the shaking of her hand. And as if reacting to her emotions, the Stigma etched over her skinny, pointed shoulder began to glow. And as if responding, Niatiel's Stigma would flicker and shine too.
Vystari seemed too wrapped up in her worry to notice, but a coldness was building up inside of Niatiel.

Was there something happening?

...

Meanwhile, from since the first time since they were beckoned, a figure stirred and made movement.

This lone being, a peculiarly horned and shred-looking wisp had been resting his head and laying flat on the stonework. In truth, the moment the party of wisps had been blown away when the battle with the beast-judge initiated, this wisp hadn't made any attempt to move from where he landed. He simply stared blankly up a the darkness. His expression, dull black eyes and lips canted in a perpetual state of disregard. Was it of boredom? Defiance? Negligence? But it seemed his peaceful state of peace was being interrupted. All of the yelling over by the actual battleground was causing him some level of irritation. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper as this order and that order was thrown around. He already didn't like who it was, this Mordred. Maybe he just wanted to get further away from all the noise, the source of his disgruntlement. Or it could be his leg was falling asleep from laying for so long, and he simply wanted to air it off. Whatever the case, finally, the lone wisp made action.

Dwynn breathed a long sigh and lifted himself up from his resting spot as a single figure passed overhead and landed nearby.

The lanky, tall man made no show of haste or concern as he cantered over, his long, great lance dragging behind him. He possessed a Black Vessel. And though these deadly weapons seemed to possess some level of fear and control over their users, he treated it as it was a pair of unwanted luggage. He didn't even bother to pick it up from the ground, letting it drag behind him, a sort of treatment and respect the weapon did not seem very pleased with. This one seemed more animated than the rest. It made audible gurgles, to the point of letting off an unpleasant groan.

Even his curled tail swung side to side without effort.

"This is your punishment for dealing with those pathetic 'gods'." he said sarcastically, his long pointed ears flicking, "Better to use power that you own and possess, all to yourself... even if it's a bit annoying and talks much, much too long."

The weapon's deathly glare only strengthened at his comments. It was beginning to shake, as if cursing him, hopping slightly on the stone ground from the sheer force of its stifled rage. His lack of acknowledgement only drove it further into an outburst of anger, the bouncing intensifying as though trying to jump up and cut him on one of its many barbs and sharp edge. With a swift stomp, he locked it onto the ground and subdued the angry spirit that was chained to his wrist.

Another sigh. The blank-faced figure was crouched down now, bending his long frame over the edge and staring down at the struggling woman. Actually, was it past her, where he was looking? His next words answered this question.

"How is the view down there? I've got to admit. I'm mildly curious. Does it really go on forever? If so, I wonder... What could possibly be lurking out there...?"

He didn't even interested in saving her, watching as her fingers slipped one by one off the rut of the stone. His black eyes were glued on the empty horizon.
But then he suddenly lowered his hand. Familiar black talons were held outstretch before Harmony.

"Take it if you wish. But be quick. You don't have much time." Dwynn says with a, now typical, sigh in his dull voice, "I don't really care about you, specifically. Nor any of these other fools. I can pass this 'trial' all by myself. But having someone to talk to, instead of just this stupid little tooth-pick, might make this pointless journey more bearable."

...

 

[Lekiel]

The warrior of winter had called out a warning, something about overcoming the weapon she clutched in her trembling hands. But whether the emerald-eyed wisp heard the caution was not apparent. Shrouds of shadow tendrils hazed on the edges of her vision, wicking off her gleaming eyes as sable black smoke as she rushed on the approach. The presence within her glaive seemed to fade almost completely... No, not gone... but drawn still in anticipation like a taut bowstring. As if it could feel the exact intent of its mistress and know that she above all, desired to gorge herself on the very thing it lusted for. And so it let her lead it, in twirl and flash of death, honed unerringly towards the beast's mortal reminder.

But the clutch was clumsy and its weight burdensome. Or mayhap it was some other outside circumstance that took the beast's vulnerability out of reach. Or perhaps it had gotten careless. Settling back with maw jutting wide to await the sanguine torrent that turned out to be nothing but a trickle; because the one that held it, held it with unaccustomed stiffness. Thus it cracked unintended against hardened bone instead of vulnerable flesh. But though it missed the mark, skull cracked and fractured nonetheless, simply from the weight of burden the vessel bore.

Both beast and assailant hissed and shrieked. One out of pain and the other unfettered frustration. She felt the vessel jerk and hum in her hands, a sharp bite of accusation stabbed at her heart even as the beast reeled away. An onslaught of demands bucked against her consciousness, demanding price for unleashed power. She responded in the only way she knew. In haughty pride and arrogance, all wonder replaced by disdain. She would've done more if it would've kept up!

Lo, the pale wisp would've stood there grimacing for longer moments in silent discord had the beast not chosen that time to bellow a shuddering roar. It slammed into her pale form with all the force of a mighty gale, bringing with it the overwhelming wails of terror and despair. It battered and tore at her still fragile form, sending Brielle to her knees. But though the torment seemed much to bear, her emerald eyes took on a glint of manic glee as she screeched back at the roaring beast in keening sounds of primal defiance.

Quickly as it came, the roar was cut by singing steel and wicked scythe. The anguish was lifted and though she willed to immediately stand, her knees trembled in the wake and her skull still reverberated with the echoes of the onslaught. She clutched at the despicable vessel, lest she fall flat on her face and looked to the ongoing battle. Watched as horned little Niatiel struck for the beast's sights and was tossed from its back in the Judge's ensuing throes of unendurable pain. And when she could finally find her feet again, the beast had skulked up into the shadowed above. The manic gleam in Brielle's eyes dimmed as she looked to the shadowed form until she could see it no more, before turning to gaze at the vessel in her hand.

The beast will be back, and this time... it better not miss.

 

[The Suspicious Eye]

Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

Not expecting anything of what had happened Harmony was thrown off kilter as the energy erupted from her blade. Her stance far too weak for something so strong, her feet lifted off the ground as she was shot into the opposite direction. Watching as the light from her attack faded and Kyo being shaken by something she felt unease. As she barreled through the sky, her unease faded. Hearing the beast's shrill she let out a relieved sigh, at least she did something for the others. Feeling her strength wane from her body she was unsure of where she'd land, but was too tired to do anything but adjust herself to make sure the landing wouldn't kill her.

There was certainly luck on her side as she hit and skidded across the round platform towards the edge. Her torso dangled off the edge, only her arms supporting her weight. A long way away from the illuminated flowers at the center of the platform, Harmony got the opportunity to see what exactly was out there. Looking over her shoulder she glanced out into the dark abyss, and saw nothing but the abyss staring back at her. It was dark, empty and bone chilling. Nothing of life extended from beyond their small disk, there was only emptiness and something eternally chilling within it. As she looked out, it began to affect her and she felt herself grow weak and cold.

Feeling her strength leaving her, she knew she couldn't hold on much longer. Using what was left of her strength she buried the blade into the cracks of the stonework as her left arm numbed. Feeling the tingling sensation begin to crawl through her shimmering form she dug her fingers deep into the cracks. Moss curling around the formless fingers of the wisp she dragged herself closer off the edge. Torso dragging across the edge letting out a strained gasp as she reached for another stone, her shoulders beginning to weaken as she dragged herself up tp her thighs. Crawling the rest of the way up she collapsed against the cold stone in the shade of the abyss. Her left hand sliding from the grip of her sword and falling down beside the silvered blade, completely numb. Heart pounding in her chest Harmony's trembling body eased as all her energy drained from her. Eyes rolling towards the battle she knew she couldn't stay like this forever, but she didn't have the strength to get back up just yet.

Her body still dangling on the edge she could feel herself begin to slip with every minor movement. Her strength returned ever so slightly, however, Harmony was unsure if she could pull herself again if it came to it. As she began to slide she noticed a strangely familiar silhouette above her. Looking up she heard the ever calm voice of Dwynn and a coy smile formed on her formless face. "Well it certainly got a good look inside me. Let's just say, I get the feeling that whatever's out there is far more scary than the thing we're fighting now. Mind lending a hand?" He body slipping a little bit more as she shifted her weight.

Taking his outsteched hand she shakily made her way off the edge and back onto her feet. Gathering her bearings she let out a hardy laugh as he mentioned rather having someone to talk to. Pulling her blade out the mossy cracks of the ground she rested it on her shoulder and looked over to Dwynn, still snickering. Lightly punching the wisp's arm with her free hand, she nodded. "I get it. Can't pass up good company, right?" Walking past him towards the continuing fight she spoke warmly, her strength steadily returning with every step. "I owe you one, so I'll do my best to make sure you're not too bored. Now come on star fighter, why don't you finish what the other fools have started? Show everyone what that tooth-pick can do."
Euclid Leaf

 

[seasonedcat]

Kyo felt a form of pleasure not her own well up inside her stomach as the scythe ripped through the flesh of monster, satisfied with the creature's pain. She, without much thought, recognized this as the feelings of the scythe in her hands, also must have been the source of the pull inside her when she was lying down earlier to join the battle. This weapon she had chosen wanted pain and death, something that Kyo personally didn't really like.

Her short victory of distracting the monster was short lived as she was now in the grasp of it's spell. Kyo felt her whole mind stop working as she felt her life draining, a familiar feeling to her. The feeling of loosing her strength slowly, pain building up inside her as she struggled to live, something she knew way to well. She couldn't process anything, she hated this feeling. She hated it. She hated it. She hated it. She hated it. Make it stop. Please.

She didn't want to die like this again. She didn't want to parish like this, fading away into nothing alone. tears prickled at her eyes as her soul screamed for freedom from this hell. She would not die like this, she couldn't. No, wouldn't. She won't die like this. She won't. Not again, never again. She was trapped though. Teeth ready to pierce her skin like butter, ready to end her new life in an instant. She didn't want this to be the end. Not with the same sick feeling of death again. Even though she knew it was the end and there was nothing she could do to change that or possibly make it through this.

But she was spared from fate. In her despair she had forgotten about everyone else that also stood in this room as her. She had forgotten about Nia's plan completely, but it seems she did her job exactly as she was supposed to, well except for the near death moment. Kyo stood there in place even after the beast was off her as she waited fro the sick feeling to leave her body. Even after she was free off the sickness she still shook like a leaf.

She didn't want to go back to what she was before. She didn't want to rot away slowly as she was forced to work through the pain. She never wanted to feel that sort of sickness ever again after what happened to her in her past, but this beast had sent her right back to where she was however long ago. It had sent her reeling back to those days and she hated it. She couldn't go back to there ever again. She was not going to be sick ever again.

Suddenly her despair was replaced with a burning feeling of rage. Her body stopped trembling and became completely still as she stared at the ground with wide eyes. She felt a grasp of something swim over her heart and conciseness as something inside her sought revenge. She knew this to be the work of the scythe in her hand, but at this moment her logical thought threw that aside. This thing had sent her into a weak spot. Had made her feel things she had never wanted to feel again.

For that it was to pay. She found herself nodding along to the weapons thoughts. It was to pay for this. How dare it do that to her. How dare it. It was to suffer for that. It was to wither in pain as she had also. It was feel the grasp of death holding it tightly as she slowly watched it fade away into nothing with satisfaction. She was going to make it suffer for this. They both felt pleased at this thought, almost as if the weapon had taken over her in her moment of shock and grief and was now going to use her to satisfy it's own desires along with giving it's wielder the sweet taste that deep in her heart she also desired.

Kyo picked up her scythe that had fallen at some point when the beast had attacked and held it tightly in her hands. She could feel it's lust for death radiating off it and herself like a beacon. Her grip tight and sure she was ready to make this beast suffer. She was ready to make it suffer as she had. The weapon almost seemed to smile in sick satisfaction as it's grip on the woman tightened like a noose around a prisoner. She had taken his thoughts in without question in her weakened state and now it was going to get the things it lusted for; death and destruction.

 

[Juju]

Trying to get up was a struggle, every movement bringing a fresh stab of pain into the little wisp's side, until finally she had no choice but to stay down. The pain was pure and unrelenting, much like the searing bite of her silvered weapon before it had been tamed. Yet this was a shade different, wild and foreign, something that wanted to kill her. It was a strange thing, to feel and see her essence leaking out of the savage wound, to see how little it took to break her. But even as the blood formed sticky clumps around her fingers she reminded herself that it could have been worse. Those fangs could have easily torn her apart, or had snapped up Kyo. Really, she was fortunate! If anything it was better that she got hurt and not one of the others.

At the sound of a Vystari's voice she turned her head, planning to ask the woman if she knew if Harmony was okay. Or at least until a flare of pain raked up her side from the sudden movement. Niatiel grit her teeth and pressed her hands harder against her side, bowing her head over the oozing wound. She only heard the pink-haired wisp's approach, but at Vystari's gentle touch she looked up, seeming a little surprised at the gesture. It was... it really helped make it all seem less scary. Just having someone nearby made her feel better.

"But Harmony..." Nia objected feebly when Vystari urged her to worry about herself, but soon fell quiet when she looked down at where Vystari's fingers pressed against her bloodied own. Her voice sounded level, but her hands betrayed her words. Niatiel could feel them tremble, could see the dread spoiling the vibrant pink of her eyes, like night at the edge of sunset. The pain in Niatiel's face softened when she saw this, sympathizing with the woman's fear. "Don't worry, Vystari. It-it doesn't hurt that much... it could be worse!" she reassured, giving her best smile despite the pain.

As soon as she spoke the words, Vystari's stigma began to burn brightly beneath her skin, the flower's petals seeming to ignite all at once. "Your shoulder... it looks like one of the flowers." Niatiel breathed, completely transfixed by the ghostly glow. Faintly, she became aware of her own flickering stigma, and of a creeping cold. Icy fingers spread through her body, seeping into her lungs and making her limbs heavy. Even the pain in her side began to numb as the cold pressed in, and soon she was shivering.

"So p-pretty." she chattered, awed eyes shining with the twin lights of the stigmas. "but real-really cold..."

 

[Siren77]

Ah the sweet fatigue of mortality, otherwise known as weakness amongst the living. It infuriated Irosane how quickly he’d grown tired in his attempt to spare Niatiel from the beasts crushing jaws. On his own he held little to no chance of fending off the monster, but luckily for him ever since the entry to this vaguely recognizable place he’d not been alone. Wisps, all unrecognizable in appearance, yet defined in their own personal way. Despite not knowing one another, their names were engraved into his brain and they felt as friends to him. Then again that was probably just because they were saving his ass now. Though some felt closer to him than the rest, but Iro wasn’t sure why.

Due to his fatigue, as soon as he had the chance, Irosane released his chained blades from the beasts jaw and took a step back from the action so that he might rest. If he let himself get too worn out he’d just be in the way.

‘Useless, absolutely fucking useless...’ Iro’s thoughts were harsh on his own actions, and despite the big talk he’d delivered before the combat it was evident he was no threat. Nothing more than a weak soul damned to fight for it’s pathetic survival.

He knelt on the ground, posted up on his blades and surveyed the battle as it ensued. The beasts black blood had spilt in great quantities upon the ground making it all the more challenging for his companions to fight on the slick surface. All manner of other difficulties had occurred as well, from a black fog that instilled dread in those consumed by it, to mortal injuries that inhibited his allies more and more. It was to tense a situation, so Iro tipped his head down and focused on the grassy ground beneath him.

For a moment, Irosane began to doubt if they’d even survive this initial encounter. Were they simply doomed to fall like all the others who had attempted to flee the beast? Goddess Nera, surely she had no intention of putting them in such an impossible situation. Unless this was the eternal torment of wicked souls, and she herself the mastermind of it all. How cruel, they were fed lies of hope and success only to have it all ripped from them as their bodies were torn to shreds by this heathen before them. Destiny was truly unkind to these lost souls.

Destiny... ‘Where was that will to live from earlier O icon of anger?’ There is no Destiny... ‘Surely you have no intentions for withering away and dying here?’ Iro’s own thoughts continued to torment and betray him, almost as if some unstable force manipulated his mind and body. However such thoughts only inspired his rage, and caused that he should stand once more. Ripping the chained hookblades from the ground, Iro looked up to view the twisted beast and his allies once more.

“I... am not yet finished.” He softly spoke aloud to himself in a vain attempt to dispel the voice of doubt in his mind. Before making any foolish attempts to return to the fight, Iro looked for any way to possibly kill the creature. It was obvious that their weapons, despite how powerful they were, could not faze the beast as it remained just as vicious as it had been in the past. As his Crimson hues scanned the room, he beheld the edge of the arena of which one named Harmony had previously been hanging from. It was absolutely fucking nuts, but they didn’t have many other options.

The only issue to be had now was finding the monster. In a massive leap it had vanished in darkness above, thoughts it’s menacing snickers could still be heard above. The deep red eyes of the wisp scanned every corner of the ceiling, which only rooted himself in frustration as he couldn’t make out any figure moving amongst the shadows.

“Coward, fleeing the fight so soon? Come down here and meet your end!”

He couldn’t see anything, but he still remained alert so that the bastard wouldn’t be able to get the jump on him. Surely it would strike at any moment...

 

[Euclid Leaf]

...

Dwynn scowled, not even bothering to hide his annoyance at the physical 'friendliness' displayed by Harmony. His tailed went taut as he rubbed the place where she punched. Was he more sensitive than she initially anticipated? His lips curled, a compounded expression of regret and confusion as he watched the woman walk forward past him.

"It is not the tooth-pick that'll be doing the deed. It shall be me. This thing merely serves to support me." he says, followed by a groaning reply from his partner.

But his blackened eyes shone when she spoke sarcastically. He was dense, but he was no idiot when it came to framing of context. The pitch black orbs narrowed as Dwynn slowly followed behind Harmony with a deep sigh. His lowered eyes turned upwards to the others in the distance, gathered around in their pitiful defensive positions as they waited for the beast to act.

He had no doubts. They were nowhere near form. Not even close. They were like infants given power beyond their control. Fools, all of them. This pathetic display was not fitting of 'heroes'. To waste so much time shedding tears, shouting meaningless orders, receding into their own tired ways. All of this hesitation, this meandering. It was all so pointless. He wanted to just sit back and allow the beast to consume them all. Only to prove his own objective assessment of virtue right. But he knew that would prove nothing. Especially to himself. Last thing he needed now was the thought of being framed in a careless and neglectful light. He was better than that.

Perhaps he will show them the way a true hero acts? Through example. Yes, this is the only way. Besides, he refuses to be told what to do by some nobody.

"If my old instincts serve me well, and well they have -- The beast is undoubtedly absorbing power from the enchanted flora of this strange dark realm. There. Do you see?"pointing now to the flowing black powder that was swirling from the glimmering plants. Indeed, on closer observation, the trails of dark essence was floating high and higher, coalescing into a point somewhere up in the darkness hidden above.

The way he acted, did he perhaps have regained more of his old memories than usual? But it was hard to tell with his blank face.

"They seem to act as arcane fonts, absorbing excess power and releasing it." shaking his head in disappointment, "Can't they see? If we wait around, we'll just be allowing it to regain power. To think they are so oblivious to something so obvious..."

He cast one look upwards and something seemed to click inside his head.
"As you say, I'll show you what I am capable of." he muttered, beginning into a light trot.

A 'Star' she says. He'd never admit it aloud, but he rather liked the imaging of that idea. Perhaps she has vision, even if her mannerisms were completely inappropriate.
-- Harmony's interactions seemed to have a lasting effect on Dwynn.

For the first time, Dwynn picked up his twisted black weapon, rotating his waist and throwing out his arm in heaving arc. The restrained Black Vessel sprung up like a javelin, appearing to release its pent up frustration with a loud and throaty hiss. The vessel soared through the air like a great arrow, boosted by a shadowed wind. It must've traveled hundreds of feet before crashing into the base of one of the floating pillars dangling above them. The shadowed monument shook and wavered, similar to a dangling fruit from a vine. A twisted one, at that. Somewhere in the pitch black distance, movement can be seen in the glimpses of light provided by the hanging flowers that adorned these strange floating structures. What was the judge-beast planning? Without another word, not even showing an ounce of fear or doubt, Dwynn began his ascent upwards to meet with the hiding, creeping, waiting monster.

As if this was something natural, something he had done countless times before, the lithe man rapidly coiled his long arms around the chain. Following the same movement with his leg, he pushed himself up long lengths of the black chain. He looked like a snake wrapping around and around a draping root.

Soon, he too disappeared into the darkness above.

...

Vystari blinked wildly upon the realization of the magic flowing through them, hearing Niatiel's words of astonishment and wonder. Her eyes were glued upon the amazing sight, the light that bloomed upon Niatiel seemed to blossom and burst. The atmosphere of dark pollen that had been threatening to choke them began to fade and shiver, as though repelled by the very nature of the power.

She winced, when she looked back upon herself. It was numbing, but somewhat painful at the same time. Still, she felt a calming in the fleeting frost that crept up through her flowery Stigma and across her flesh. She allowed it to embrace her, like a chilly shower of rain. Hm. 'Rain', what was that again? Somehow that word felt so familiar.

But she couldn't be bothered to question it now.

"C-cold, yes... very much so. But a good kind, I think? Haha..." Vystari muttered, teeth clattering, amazed by the feeling that overwhelmed her. Looking down, she felt something clamp on her skin by her waist. And upon releasing her hand, she saw the wound being closed up. The blood vanished in wisps of light and soon she felt renewed. What caused this? No, that was a redundant question. Somehow, without being told so, she already knew the answer. It was the power that was hidden within her Stigma. All of their Stigmas. If this wasn't proof enough that they were worthy of overcoming the darkness that plagued the world, then she didn't know what was.

Vystari wouldn't help but smile. She knew the same Goddess that revived them from the never-ending nether wouldn't allow them to perish so easily. The tests were a series of challenges, not meant to be impossible. All they had to do was place their faith unto her, and she will reward them so. What happened to Harmony must've been an unfamiliarity of the great power bestowed upon them.

"My... my wound? It closed up...! The blood, the pain... it's gone!" she exclaimed, looking down and seeing the same happening to Niatiel. For the first time, perhaps it was the first time. At least, according to her current memory, Vystari was laughing and grinning.

-- Of all the wisps, she somehow felt closeness to Niatiel the most.

But her moment of relief would quickly be smothered. A deep sense of dread filled the air, the dark pollen that the pale flowers produced flickering and shivering. Everyone across the floating platform would feel the shift in the air, the tangible pull from something far above. Vystari gazed around her, standing up and offering a hand to Niatiel as she held her silvered sword ready. The flowers then dimmed and remained a constant low, buzzing light. It almost look like time froze. Then, a deep roar can be heard overhead. A far-off cry of pain, agony -- A scream that shuddered the very ground with an aftershock of terrible unease.

[Those who were paying attention and remained alert for the last minutes would've noticed Harmony return from the western side. For a moment, she was with a strange, horned man. But he would soon vanish into the darkness of the floating massive pillars above. Dwynn was already up at the end of the chain, ignoring all, if any attempts to stop him. Just moments after he dug his heels into the overgrowth of pale grass, he vanished. And then soon after, the echoing scream would sound.]

And looking at it now, a clash of shadows and metal and blood, it was clear just how he must've seduced the beast from its hiding spot.

The Manifestation of Dread that followed the creature seemed absent as the two weaved through the darkness alone. Even though the sounds of the battle was distant, the emotion and energy can practically be felt. Dwynn seemed more skilled in using his Black Vessel than the others, somehow. Perhaps it is his own physiology, clearly different than the others on many levels. But his skill appeared to also translated into arrogance. Dwynn seemed to believe he was just as ferocious as the beast itself, snarling and screaming as he clashed blade and fang against the ungodly being. And for the briefest of moments, it seemed almost true.

But suddenly, the battle turned. The beast scrambled, the massive shadow flying overhead and covering the platform with a great outcast. It seemed to miss a lunge from one massive pillar to the next trying to devour the sole warrior. As the twisted monster collided against the carved ancient stone, Dwynn leapt into the thrashing beast, stunned from its own attack, snarling and slamming into the mass of fur and bone. Blood spilled in a fury of claws and teeth, his very own as well, but he moved aggressively regardless. The black, twisted lance smashed against the side of the gray stone, cracking the bottom half and shattering a large chunk of it. In the smoke and terror, the carved stone was splattered forth, releasing a great plume of dust and pale growths. The flowers, those that clung on at least, hanging from the crushed underbelly of the stone monument flickered and faded. For a moment, the center towering stone began to falter, dipping from the level of the others. Were the flowers powering the magic that lifted them in the air?

However, that question did not pose itself long.

Either tiring each other out from the fighting, or the finishing blow was made, the two maddened beings locked in conflict began to fall from their place high above. Followed closely by a landslide of debris of stone, dirt, loose mangled hair, and oozing dying plants. Three significant objects can slowly be made as the shapes grew closer and closer to those below. Dwynn fell alongside the beast, his entire chest slathered in blood. It was unclear which bled more than the other. It was an absolute mess of the foul liquid, mixed with white streaks. And the last, well, the nearest unlucky wisp would be greeted by a severed, rotten present. The flayed limb from earlier was definitely no longer attached.

-- What do you do to meet the falling figures? First, is the debris itself. Will you attempt to dodge or face the hazard head-on? Or ignore it completely and allow blind luck to determine whether you get squashed or are left unscathed? And then what of the beast itself? Will you prepare to meet it once it lands, assuming in its bloodied state, the monster might be at its last breath and more desperate than ever? Or will you try and save the arrogant wisp that acted selfishly all his own? Did his recklessness earn a victory or a detriment, for the rest of you? Either way, they were falling fast. And you cannot do all three at once.

 

[Siren77]

There was no certain answer as to how the wisps were going to weed out the Twisted Beast, it’s taunting snickers were continuously echoing from the shadows above. While Irosane attempted to craft a sort of plan to reveal the monster above, one was to act before him. A taller individual, thin and lankey, with no other noticeable characteristics save for the set of horns growing out of his head. Iro couldn’t put his finger on it, but for some reason he already didn’t like the wisp. It felt like a grudge, and yet as always he knew nothing of this individual save for their name: Dwynn

In an admittedly beautiful toss, the lance Dywnn wielded was embedded into one of the partial marble pillars above them. It’s black chain hung down to the floor, and Iro could already tell what the wisps plan was.

“Surely you don’t intend to fight the beast on your own Dwynn?” Irosane said with a scoff as the taller wisp began climbing up toward the darkness above. A motive like this could prove to be suicide, even in the Twisted Beasts wounded state. Hell even Iro wasn’t foolish enough to attempt such a thing, but he gave no hint of trying to stop Dwynn. If he had a death wish then so be it, Iro wasn’t going to intervene with his plans. All he was going to do was sit, and watch the bloodbath.

With no visuals to give an inkling as to what was occurring in the darkness, the most to be had for entertainment from the scuffle was the sounds of the deep twisted roars and cries from Dwynn. Against all odds he was holding his own and sounded to be fighting valiantly against the unholy foe. However just before their fall, the pair of battlers came into the light just enough for one to see the gruesome amount of blood spilt upon one another. Black mixed with red as the pair dashed around over and over again, and it became apparent that Dwynn was losing his upper hand in the conflict.

The Lance once more collided with stone, this time in a much more clumsy and foolish move that causes cracks to erupt in the ceiling. They spread like a spiders web above the wisps, and Iro immediately began to dread what was going to happen next. Sure enough, as the beast and Dwynn began their descent to the floor below, so to did all manner of debris and dying plants that showered amongst the space above.

Three choices, all of them with their deficits and consequences. To ignore the debris was to tempt fate and allow oneself to be crushed under one of the many large rocks tumbling from above. Trying to save Dwynn would go against the law of survival, after all he was responsible for his own choices not to mention it would give the Beast time to recover. However leading up on the beast to finish it off was an enticing solution, as even if Irosane was to be crushed by the rubble above he could still finish off the monster before it could do regain its strength.

So in a quick decision, Iro completely ignored the falling wisp and focused on the falling wretch of a being. While he couldn’t attack and dodge at the same time, he could still use the falling stones to his advantage in hopefully slaying the beast. Lunging up into the air with all the spring his limbs would allow, Irosane snaked the chains of his blades around a decent sized boulder (about the size of a standard car tire) that he felt he could move well enough on his own before flipping forward and using his weight and strength to alter the stones course. The boulder was swung and thrown down toward the wrecked body of the Twisted Beast, though the force of which could only be determined by how well his strength held up and if his predictions on actually being able to move the rock were correct.

All Irosane could do now was watch as his effort went in motion, all the while he himself returned to the earth below as he was at the mercy of the rubble still raining down from the ceiling. If death was to greet him so be it. With his luck he’d just end up in a place like this again, to be tormented once more.

 

[seasonedcat]

Kyo, well the husk that was her at the moment, began to take uncoordinated steps towards one of the pillars, shaking with uncontrolled rage. Could it really even be called Kyo, the real Kyo felt far away, floating in dark sludge that numbed her to the point of nothingness. The Kyo that others were seeing at this moment was only her anger and grief manifested into a consciousness that took over her normal self with the iron clasp of her weapon.

She had no control over her body right now, and was only barely aware of that fact. Almost as if watching something when you are exhausted, there but not quite, floating in and out at different parts, but not really remembering these parts as separate. All she could do was blankly stare ahead, unbeknownst to her that this was her body being controlled and that she was falling father into the hole that her despair had dug.

So, there was little Kyo to be in control of her actions, and little personality or consciousness to react to what was going on around her. The only thought running through her current consciousness was to cause pain and suffering, to feel her scythe slice through the flesh of those who'd oppose her and bathe in their blood. This rage and blood-lust controlled her like a puppet on a string with little resistance against it.

With a hollow, rage filled eyes (one still covered by her eye patch) Kyo made her way over to the pillar and glanced down at her hands. There wasn't really a way for her to scale this with her bare hands, especially with the huge scythe she also carried. However, luck seemed to be in her favor at this moment as another foolish wisp had done her job for her, and now had the beast coming down towards a place that Kyo would be able to reach. Simply splendid! Oh... he was hurt also, but all par for the course if it means making the beast suffer as it had made her. Plus, he should be fine, one of the others can probably handle him, and if they don't, who cares?!

Licking her lips, Kyo's face lit up with a twisted smile, her feet beginning to move towards her target, ready to cause it pain. Kyo's current conscious of her body didn't care too much for her body itself, and only dodged rocks that would cause it fatal injuries, not bothering to dodge any of the small ones that cut up her face and body, or the ones that bruised her skin. It just kept running through, only wasting enough energy to jump out of the way of the ones on the larger side.

Once Kyo reached her desired destination she came to an abrupt stop at the place next to where she believed the beast to be landing. With morbid thoughts running through her head she tightened her grip against her heavy scythe, ready to swing the moment the beast got in reach of her blade, not once going to hesitate in her swing. Standing in a position that would favor her force she was going to put in the swing, she readied herself, eye focused on only the beast descending.

 

[The Suspicious Eye]

Making her way back into the light she felt a bit stronger. The draining sensation she felt when she released that strange power, was a mere tingle under her skin. Her body wasn't heavy in the slightest, but the pulsing energy she'd felt burning in her arm was no longer there. Stretching her fingers to try to find that power again. That strange feeling and that power. I wonder what that truly was? Her mind dancing over the limited pool of understanding she had, she noticed something different. Feeling Dwynn's presence leave her she turned around to see him gone, however, the tip of his tail caught her attention and her eyes trailed up to watch him leap up to meet the greedy beast up in the pillars. Able to vaguely make out the figures for a moment, only to fade back into the blackness as her eyes adjusted to the light the flowers produced. Letting out a impressed whistle as she thought to herself. He certainly seems fearless. Tilting her head over she saw the others, still alive, although a bit worn out. A smile forming on the formless face she let out a loud, "Hey!"

Nonchalantly raising her hand, she pushed herself forward. Her blade falling from her shoulder as she swung it down at the flowers with every step. Petals whipping up around her with every swing, she walked until she was about a foot away from the group. Resting a hand on her hip she raised her chin giving a air of cockiness. "Glad you're all still alive." At least whatever I did didn't get any of them killed. Looking around at the motley crew of wisps, she realized that some of their features could be seen more clearly than before. Oh? Noticing how haggard and injured some of them were, Harmony grew a bit worried, however she did her best to hide her worry with a smile. Instead she lifted her sword and brought it down into the mossy crag. Leaning forward she rested her arms on the crossguard.

"So this platform is really the only thing around here. There's nothing out there but a huge abyss. We really need to kill that beast." Something dawned on her as she rested there, the sounds of animalistic combat erupting above them. "Oh right! Dwynn figured out something pretty cool. He thinks these glowing flowers are giving that beast his power. From the edges you can see particles from the plants flying up to the beast. So if we kill him while he's weak and away from then then we can end this. Pretty cool huh?" She said as she leaned back and stood at her full height. Before she could say anything else she heard the heavy crack of stone breaking and looked up to see the burst of dust and large chunks of stone cascading towards them at a rapid rate.

Jolting as a large piece of rubble slammed down onto the flower patch, Harmony grabbed her sword. About to pull it out she felt her body lift up ever so slightly as the center stone began to fall suddenly. As her feet returned back on the ground she shook a bit, unsure exactly what just happened she looked over at the rubble and then up at the attack. "F*@K!" Quickly pulling out her sword she leapt back a stone the size of her torso crashed down right where she was once standing. I was about to be a Jill sandwich. Wait...what?

As the ruble fell she noticed some of the others jumping to action she looked up at the cascading rubble. As it fell she noticed a familiar wispy figure leaking white fluid. "Crap." It was Dwynn. Guess all that hyping him up got to his head. "Well I guess I better catch him. Can't keep him interested if he's dead." Keeping her head up she maneuvered around the smaller rubble she adjusted her position to where he was going to land. Finally finding the position she leapt a few paces back and lowered herself, ready to charge towards him and catch him when he got closer to the ground. Clicking her tongue she thought to herself, I hope I can catch him.

 

[Juju]

Niatiel nodded in brittle agreement. Vystari was right, there was something strangely comforting about the creeping chill that was steadily enveloping her. Oddly enough, it reminded her of the goddess Nera. Briefly, she wondered what had become of the pale lady. Was she watching over them, observing their struggle with the beast? As if in answer she felt a tugging pinch on her wound, a soft mist twisting up from between her fingers. Beneath them, the wound had vanished.

Her eyes glittered in wonder as flecks of pollen fled from the purifying light. It was a miracle, a reversal of fate. For a moment she forgot how to breath until...laugher? She looked up to find Vystari beaming. Niatiel hadn't noticed the other wisp's wound until she mentioned it, but the guilt that followed after this realization was no match for such pure joy. It was infectious, and before she knew it Nia gave a short laugh too, a relieved smile on her face.

This short existence had offered nothing but suffering and fear, blood and death, and yet she still felt hope, kept aloft by moments as fragile as moth wings. A quiet word from a monster, an act of defiance against the jaws of death, or even laughter stolen away amid bloodied petals. If this broken world was capable of such glimmers of beauty then maybe it was worth fighting for, despite its hideous flaws. No matter what darkness they faced, she was determined to hold on to these fleeting moments. She could never forget.

"Thank you, Vystari." Niatiel said softly, making sure to send a silent prayer of thanks to Nera as well. "...I'm really glad you're here."

Her eyes wandered back to where the beast's claw had dug deep into her flesh, now little more than a memory. This power was extraordinary, and she couldn't help but wonder what else it could do. If wounds could be healed in purifying light, could it do anything for the twisted beings lost to the dark? Just the thought seemed too bold, impossible, causing a bubble of unease to form in her stomach. Or perhaps that was the change in the air?

As she took Vystari's offered hand and rose to her feet she could feel the looming dark press in. She looked around to find the source but instead found many other things. Firstly, Harmony was alive and well, much to her relief. Secondly, there was a distinct absence of a certain broody figure. The snickering beast was as missing as ever, but as the flowers began to dim and flicker the little wisp wasn't so sure if it would stay that way for long. Then it clicked, just as the deafening roar tore through the air.

Head turned upwards and eyes wide, Niatiel could only make out the movements of the two combatants but it was enough to cause her chest to tighten. "No..." She muttered, bringing a hand to her mouth. All she could do was watch and pray that fate would be kind. "Come on Dwynn...you can do this..."

Both sides fought with stunning ferocity, but it soon became clear that the tides were turning in favor of the twisted beast. Great clouds of dust stirred in wake of their conflict, obscuring her vision, but not enough that she couldn't pick out two falling forms amid the crumbled pillars. Both were streaked in off-colors of blood and it was hard to tell which one was more of a gored mess. Perhaps the wolf, with it's missing leg? Though Dwynn's upper-body looked almost unrecognizable.

"We have to catch him!" she shouted above the cracking of stone, running for half a step before freezing in her tracks. He was so far away. Too far away, she realized in horror. He would break upon the stones before she was even half way there. Dread rose up in the pit of her stomach, catching in her throat, until a flash of movement caught her eye. It was Harmony, dashing towards Dwynn.

She felt a rush of relief...and also something lightly brush past her back, followed by a jarring crash. Niatiel stumbled forward and turned around only to be greeted by a jagged fragment of a pillar. Most of the blooms that had clung to it now lay splattered around it, a viscous liquid oozing from their cut stems like little severed limbs. It was almost the same size as she was, and could have easily crushed her had she been half a step out of place. Or worse, it could have hit Vystari.

Sidestepping it, she quickly rushed back to Vystari and grabbed her hand tightly. "Come on Vystari, we have to be careful." She turned her head towards the rain of debris, narrowing her eyes against the dust. If they looked out for each other then perhaps they'd be safer. Or at least that's what she hoped.